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Copyright,  1909 
By  Brown  Brothers 


GEORGE   S.   FERGUSON   CO. 

PRINTERS   AND    ELECTROT  YP  E  R  3 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 


SWANWHITE 


A   FAIRY   DRAMA 


BY 

AUGUST    STRINDBERG 

TRANSLATED  BY 

FRANCIS  J.  ZIEGLER 


PHILADELPHIA 

BROWN   BROTHERS 

1909 


FOREWORD 


^  LOVE  idyl  in  the  form  of  a  drama ;  a  fairy  drama 
at  that,  with  characters  and  incidents  reminiscent 
of  Grimm's  Maerchen ;  is  hardly  what  one  would  expect 
from  the  pen  of  an  avowed  misogynist,  a  pla^-wright 
whose   usual   work   out-Ibsens   Ibsen   in   realism,    and 
who  has  an  almost  diabolical  genius  for  dissecting  a 
woman's  soul  and  laying  bare  its  faults  and  weaknesses. 
Such  an  idyl,  however,  August  Strindberg  has  given 
us  in  "  Swanwhite,"  a  play  more  suggestive  of  Maeter- 
linck than  of  any  other  modern  writer,  save  possibly 
Gerhart  Hauptmann.     "  Swanwhite  "  is  the  direct  out- 
come of  a  love  affair  of  its  author,  (which  suggests  that 
Strindberg's  misogyny  may  be  due  more  to  an  extreme 
idealization  of  woman  than  to  an  inborn  dislike  of  the 
fair  sex),  as  it  was  written  partly  just  before,  and  partly 
just  after  his  piarriage  to  Harriet  Bosse,  the  Swedish 
actress,  in  the  spring  of  1901.     Maeterlinck's  person- 
ality, too,  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  its  form, 

ill 


GERMAN 


iv  FOREWORD 

as  Strindberg  met  the  Belgian  poet  about  the  same  time 
he  was  writing  this  little  drama.  "  Swanwhite "  is 
remarkable  also  as  being  one  of  the  very  few  plays 
Strindberg  has  written  with  a  literary  flavor,  his, 
ordinary  custom  being  to  make  his  dialogue  as  real- 
istic as  possible,  quite  regardless  of  rhetorical  flourishes. 
If  passages  in  the  following  translation  appear  stilted 
to  the  reader,  he  is  asked  to  remember  that  Strindberg 
has  invested  his  original  with  verbal  forms  never  used 
in  ordinary  conversation,  the  evident  intent  being  to 
produce  an  atmosphere  of  artificiality.  I  have  thought 
it  necessary  to  retain  the  second  personal  pronoun  as  a 
familiar  form  of  address,  as  so  much  stress  is  laid  upon 
its  employment  by  Swanwhite  in  her  initial  scene  with 
the  Prince ;  she  addressing  him  affectionately,  while  he 
strives  to  maintain  dignity  by  the  use  of  the  more 
formal  pronoun  "  you."  Of  the  translation  as  a  whole 
it  may  be  said  that,  although  the  attempt  has  been  made 
to  follow  the  original  as  closely  as  possible,  literal 
rendering  has  been  sacrificed  whenever  it  seemed  more 
advisable  to  give  the  spirit  rather  than  the  letter  of  the 

play. 

F.  J.  Z. 


PERSONAGES 


The  Duke  Swanwliite's  Mother 

The  Stepmother  The  Prince's  Mother 

Swanwhite  The  Jailer 

The  Prince  The  Steward' 

Signe  ^  The  Bailiff 

Elsa      V  Maidens  The  Head  Gardener 

Tofva  j  First  Knight 

The  Gardener  Second  Knight 
The  Fisherman 


SCENERY   FOR  THE   WHOLE   PLAY 


^1  LARGE  apartment  in  a  mediaeval  stone  castle. 
Walls  and  ceiling  are  pure  white,  and  the  ceiling 
is  arched  in  the  shape  of  a  cross.  In  the  middle  distance 
three  arched  doorways  lead  to  a  stone  veranda,  and 
these  archways  can  be  closed  with  brocade  hangings. 
Below  the  veranda  one  can  see  the  tops  of  a  grove  of 
high  rose  trees  bearing  bright  red  and  white  roses.  Be- 
vond  the  rose  garden  is  a  stretch  of  white  sand  and 
blue  ocean.  To  the  right  of  the  arched  doorway  is  a 
small  portal  through  which,  when  open,  may  be  seen 
the  perspective  of  three  rooms,  one  behind  the  other. 
In  the  first,  the  tin  room,  one  sees  tin  utensils  on  racks ; 
in  the  second,  the  clothes  room,  one  sees  fine  clothing; 
and  in  the  third,  the  fruitery,  one  sees  apples,  pears, 
pumpkins  and  melons.  The  floors  of  all  three  rooms 
are  tesselated  in  black  and  red. 

In  the  middle  of  the  main  apartment  is  a  golden 
dining  table  with  a  cloth,  two  gilded  tabourets,  a  clock 
and  a  vase  of  roses.     Over  the  table  hangs  a  bunch  of 

•  • 

Vll 


viii  SCENERY 

mistletoe.  A  lion  skin  is  on  the  floor  in  the  foreground. 
Over  the  doorways  and  inside  the  chamber  are  two  nests 
of  swallows.  To  the  left,  to  the  front  of  the  stage, 
is  a  white  bed  with  a  rose-colored  canopy  and  two  posts 
at  the  head  (there  are  no  posts  at  the  foot).  The  bed- 
clothes are  white,  save  for  the  coverlet,  which  is  of  the 
lightest  of  blue  silk ;  upon  it  lies  a  white  nightgown  of 
the  finest  batiste  and  lace.  Behind  the  bed  is  a  closet 
for  bath,  etc.  Near  the  bed  is  a  little  gilded  Roman 
table,  (round  and  with  a  single  pillar),  near  a  lampa- 
darium  and  a  golden  Roman  lamp.  To  the  right  is  a 
beautiful  carved  chimneypiece,  with  a  white  lily  in  a 
vase  on  the  mantle. 

In  the  left  arch  of  the  doorway,  with  his  back  to  the 
spectators,  is  a  peacock  asleep  on  a  perch.  In  the  right 
archway  is  a  large  golden  cage  in  which  two  white 
doves  are  resting  peacefully. 


SWANWHITE 


{At  the  raising  of  the  curtain  the  three  maidens  are  seen  one  at 
each  door  of  the  three  rooms,  but  each  half  Jiidden  by  the  doorposts. 
The  malicious  maiden  Signe  is  in  the  tin  room,  Elsa  is  in  the 
clothes  room,  and  Tofva  in  the  fruitery. 

The  Duke  enters  from  the  back,  followed  by  the  Stepmother  with 
a  steel  scourge  in  her  hand. 

The  stage  is  dark  as  they  enter.) 

The  Stepmothee. 

{Looks  about  her.) 

Swanwliite  is  not  here  ? 

The  Duke. 
One  can  see  that. 

The  Stepmothee. 

One  can  see  that,  but  one  can't  see  her. 

(Swings  the  scourge.) 

Maidens!     Signe!     Signe!     Elsa!     Tofva! 

\The  maidens  come  forward  in  single  file  and  stand 
before  the  Stepmother.) 

The  Stepmothee. 

Where  is  Lady  Swanwhite  ? 

9 


10  SWANWHITE 

(Signe  crosses  her  arms  over  her  hreast  and  is  silent.) 

The  Stepmother. 

Thou  knowest  not?  (Swings  the  scourge.)  What 
seest  thou  in  my  hand  ?     Answer  quickly ! 

(Signe  is  silent.) 

The  Stepmother. 

Quick!  (Swings  the  scourge  until  it  whistles.) 
Hearest  thou  the  falcon  whistle  ?  Claws  has  he  and  a 
beak  of  steel !     What  is  this  ? 

Signe. 
The  scourge! 

The  Stepmother. 

Yes,  this  is  the  scourge !  Now  where  is  Lady  Swan- 
white? 

Signe. 

I  cannot  say  what  I  do  not  know! 

The  Stepmother. 

Ignorance  is  a  failing,  but  carelessness  is  a  fault. 
Wert  thou  not  set  to  keep  watch  over  thy  young  Lady  ? 
Take  off  that  kerchief.       .     .     . 

(Signe  despairingly  loosens  the  her  chief.) 

The  Stepmother. 
Down  on  thy  knees ! 

(The  DuJce  turns  his  hacTc  in  horror.) 


SWANWHITE  11 

The  Stepmothee. 

Approach  thy  neck!  I  will  put  a  neckcloth  about 
it,  so  that  no  youth  shall  kiss  it  more!  Approach  thy 
neck !  ^Nearer ! 

SiGNE. 

Mercy,  for  Jesus'  sake! 

The  Stepmothee. 
It  is  mercy  enough  that  thou  mayest  retain  thy  life. 

The  Duke. 

(Draws  his  sword  and  tests  its  sharpness  on  his  nail, 
then  on  his  long  heard.     Amhiguously.) 

Her  head  must  fall,  must  be  put  in  a  sack  and  hung 
upon  a  tree. 

The  Stepmothee. 

Yes,  that  it  must ! 

The  Duke. 

We  are  in  accord!     Only  think! 

The  Stepmothee. 
That  we  were  not  yesterday ! 

The  Duke. 
Perhaps  we  shall  not  be  so  to-morrow ! 


12  SWANWHITE 

The  SxErMOTHEK. 

(To  Signe,  who  rises  from  her  knees.) 

Halt!     Whither  goest  thou? 

(Raises  the  scourge  and  strikes.) 

(Signe  rushes  out  so  that  the  scourge  falls  only  on  the 

air.) 


SwANWniTE. 

(Appears  behind  the  bed  on  her  knees.) 

Stepmother !     Here  am  I,  the  guilty  one !     Signe  is 
blameless ! 

The  Stepmother. 

Say  '-'  mother !"     First  say  "  mother !" 

Swanwhite. 

I  cannot.     Who  is  born  of  human  kind  has  but  one 
mother ! 

The  Stepmothee. 

Thy  father's  wife  is  thy  mother. 

Swanwhite. 
My  father's  second  wife  is  my  stepmother. 


SWANWHITE  13 

The  Stepmotiiek. 

A  stiff-necked  daughter  art  thou,  but  this  weapon  is 
pliant — makes  pliant. 

(Lifts  the  scourge  against  SwaniuJiite.) 

The  Duke. 
(Raises  his  sword.) 
Guard  the  head ! 

The  Stepmothee. 
Whose  head? 

The  Duke. 
Thine ! 

(The  Stepmother  hlanches,  grows  angry,  then  quiet  and 

silent.) 

(Long  pause.) 

The  Stepmotheb. 

(Crushed,  with  change  of  manner.) 

Then  the  Duke  will  tell  his  daughter  what  is  now 
before  her. 

The  Duke. 

(Puts  up  his  sword.) 

My  dearest  child,  rise  and  quiet  yourself  in  mine 

arms ! 


14  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

(Runs  into  the  Duke's  arms.) 

Father!  What  a  kingly  oak  art  thou!  Embrace 
thee  I  cannot,  but  I  can  hide  myself  under  thy  foliage 
from  the  rough  showers. 

(She  hides  her  head  beneath  the  hero's  heard,  which 
reaches  to  his  middle.) 

And  on  thy  limbs  will  I  swing  like  a  bird !  Lift  me 
up,  then  I  can  climb  to  the  top. 

(The  Duke  stretches  out  his  arms  like  the  branches  of 

a  tree.) 

SwANWHITE. 

(Climbs  up  and  sits  on  his  shoulder.) 

"Now,  I  have  the  earth  under  me,  and  the  air  over 
me;  now  I  see  out  over  the  rose  garden,  the  white  sand 
dunes,  the  blue  sea  and  over  seven  kingdoms. 

The  Duke. 
Then  seest  thou  also  the  young  King,  thy  betrothed  ? 

Swanwiiite. 
"No,  and  I  have  never  seen  him.     Is  he  beautiful  ? 

The  Duke. 

Dear  Heart — it  depends  upon  thine  eyes  how  thou 
seest  him ! 


SWANWHITE  15 

SWANWHITE. 

(Buhs  her  eyes.) 
Upon  my  eyes  ?     They  see  only  beautiful  things ! 

{The  Duke  hisses  her  foot.) 

SwANWHITE. 

My  little  foot,  it  is  so  black.     The  little  Moor's  foot ! 

(The  Stepmother  has  motioned  the  maidens  to  resume 
their  places  at  the  doors.  She  herself  slinks  like  a 
panther  through  the  arch  at  the  back.) 


SwANWHITE. 

(Springs  down.  The  Duke  sets  her  on  the  table  arid 
.seats  himself  on  a  nearby  chair.  Swanwhite  looks  ex- 
pressively after  the  Stepmother.) 

Has  the  sun  risen?  Has  the  wind  changed  to  the 
south  ?     Is  spring  coming  ? 

The  Dijkh. 
(Lays  his  hand  on  her  mouth.) 
Little  chatterbox !  •    Joy  of  my  age,  my  evening  star ! 


16  SWANWHITE 

Open  thy  rosy  ears  and  close  thy  crimson  snail  of  a 
mouth.  Listen  to  me.  Obey  me  and  it  will  go  well 
with  thee ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(S tides  her  fingers  in  her  ears.) 

I  hear  with  my  eyes,  I  see  with  my  ears — now  I  see 
nothing,  only  hear! 

The  Duke. 

Child !  (Pause.)  In  the  cradle  thou  wert  betrothed 
to  the  young  King  of  Rigalid.  Thou  hast  never  seen 
him,  as  that  is  not  the  custom  of  courts.  Xow  ap- 
proaches the  day  when  the  holy  band  shall  be  tied.  And 
in  order  to  teach  thee  courtly  manners  and  the  obliga- 
tions of  a  queen,  the  King  has  sent  a  youthful  prince 
with  whom  thou  wilt  read  books,  play  chess,  tread  the 
dance  and  learn  to  play  the  harp. 

SwANWHITE. 

What  is  the  prince's  name  ? 

The  Duke. 

My  child,  that  thou  darest  not  ask,  neither  of  him 
nor  of  anybody  else;  for  it  is  prophesied  that  who  can 
call  him  by  his  name  must  love  him. 

SwANWHITE. 

Is  he  handsome? 

The  Duke. 

Yes,  as  your  eyes  will  see  the  beautiful. 


SWANWHITE  17 

SWANWHITE. 

But  is  the  prince  beautiful  ? 

The  Dukb. 

Yes,  that  he  is.  Take  care  of  thj  heart,  which  be- 
longs to  the  King,  and  forget  not  that  thou  hast 
belonged  to  the  King  from  thy  cradle.  And  now,  my 
beloved  child,  I  will  leave  thee,  as  I  have  a  warlike 
journey  to  make.  Be  humble  and  obedient  to  thy 
stepmother;  she  is  a  hard  woman,  but  thy  father  has 
loved  her,  and  mildness  will  break  a  heart  of  stone. 
If,  contrary  to  her  promise  and  her  vow,  her  evil  na- 
ture should  exceed  the  bounds  of  the  allowable,  blow  this 
horn,  {he  takes  a  carved  ivory  horn  from  beneath  his 
mantle),  and  you  will  find  help.  But  blow  it  not 
sooner  than  need  requires — the  greatest  need!  Hast 
thou  understood? 

SwANWHITE.  • 

When  and  how. 

The  Duke. 

ISTow,  then,  the  Prince  is  here  already,  below  in  the 
woman's  chamber ;  wilt  thou  see  the  Prince  now  ? 

Swanwhite. 
If  I  will! 

The  Duke. 

Shall  I  not  take  my  leave  first  ? 

SwAJfWHITE. 

Is  the  Prince  already  here  ? 
2 


18  SWANWHITE 

The  Duke. 

{Becomes  gloomy.^ 

He  is  already  here.     I  am  already — there  where  the 
heron  of  forgetfulness  puts  his  head  under  his  wing. 

SwANWHITE. 

{Throws  herself  on  her  knees  before  the  Duke  and  hides 
her  head  under  his  heard.) 

Speak  not  so!     Speak  not  so!     The  little  one   is 
ashamed  of  herself! 

The  Duke. 

The  little  one  shall  be  whipped  because  she  forgets 
her  old  father  so  soon  for  a  young  princei.    Pf ui ! 

(Acts  as  if  he  would  strike  her.) 
{A  horn  sounds  in  the  distance.) 

The  Duke. 

(Rises  hastily,  takes  Sivanwhite  in  his  arms,  throws  her 
into  the  air  and  catches  her  again.) 

Fly,  little  bird;  hold  thyself  high  over  the  dust  and 
always  have  air  under  thy  wings!  So,  on  the  gi'ound 
again !  Honor  and  combat  call  me.  Love  and  youth, 
thee.  {Girds  himself  with  his  sword.)  And  hide  the 
wonder  horn  that  bad  eyes  may  not  see  it ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Where  shall  I  hide  it?     Where? 
(Looks  about  her.) 


SWANWHITE  19 

The  Duke. 
In  the  bed. 

SwANWHITE. 

(Hides  the  horn  under  the  hed  covers.) 

So.  Sleep  well,  little  tooter.  When  it  is  time  I  shall 
awaken  thee.    Do  not  forget  to  say  thy  evening  prayers. 

The  Duke. 

Child,  forget  not  my  last  words — be  obedient  to  thy 
stepmother ! 

SwANWIIITE. 

In  everything  ? 

The  Duke. 
In  everything ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Not  in  what  is  impure !  My  mother  gave  me  two 
shifts  every  eighth  day,  this  woman  gives  me  only  one ! 
Mother  gave  me  water  and  soap,  Stepmother  forbids  me 
both.    Look  at  my  poor  little  feet! 

The  Duke. 

My  daughter,  keep  thyself  clean  within,  and  the  out- 
side will  be  clean.  Holy  men,  who  through  penance 
forego  the  use  of  cleansing  water,  become  white  as 
swans,  while  the  unholy  grow  black  as  ravens. 

SwANWHITE. 

Then  shall  I  become  white ! 


20  SWANWHITE 

The  Duke. 
To  my  arms !     And  then  farewell ! 

SWANWHITE. 

(Runs  into  his  arms.) 

Farewell,  then,  great  war  hero,  noble  father!  Good 
fortune  accompany  thee,  thou  blessed  victor  of  the  years, 
of  peace  and  war. 

The  Duke. 

Be  it  so,   and  may  thy  pious  prayers  protect  me. 

(Closes  the  visor  of  the  golden  helmet.) 

Swanwhite. 

(Jumps  up  and  Jcisses  the  visor.) 

The  golden  portal  is  closed,  but  I  see  thy  friendly 
protecting  eyes  through  the  bars.      (She  knocks  on  the . 
visor.)      Open,  open  for  a  little  Red  Ridinghood.     ISTo- 
body   at  home.     "  Willey-wau !"   said   the  wolf  lying 
in  bed. 

The  Duke. 

Beloved  flower,  grow  and  spread  perfume.  If  I  re- 
turn, well  and  good,  I  return.  If  not,  my  eyes  shall 
watch  over  thee  from  the  starry  canopy,  and  then  will 
I  always  be  able  to  see  thee,  as  there  above  one  becomes 
all-seeing  as  God  the  Creator. 

(Goes  determinedly  ivith  a  farewell  gesture.) 

(Swanwhite  falls  on  her  knees  and  prays  for  the  Duke.) 


SWANWHITE  21 

(Pause.) 

(All  the  rose  trees  sway  in  the  breeze  that  murmurs 
without.    The  peacock  shakes  his  wings  and  tail.) 

SwANWHITE. 

(Rises,  goes  to  the  peacock  and  strokes  his  back  and 

tail.) 

Little  peacock,  dear  peacock!  What  seest  thou, 
what  hearest  thou  ?  Comes  who  ?  Who  comes  ?  Is  it 
a  little  Prince  ?  Is  he  handsome  and  neat  ?  Canst  thou 
see  that  with  thy  many  blue  eyes  ?  (She  lifts  one  of  his 
feathers  and  looks  earnestly  into  its  eyes.)  Shalt  thou 
have  thy  eyes  on  us,  thou  nasty  Argus  ?  Shalt  thou  see 
into  the  hearts  of  two  young  people  so  that  they  do  not 
beat  too  loudly — thou  foolish  jack!  See,  I  pull  the 
curtain.  (She  pulls  a  curtain,  which  hides  the  peacock 
but  not  the  landscape  outside.  Then  she  goes  to  the 
doves.)  My  white  doves,  white,  white,  white,  white, 
thou  shalt  see  the  whitest  of  all.  Silence  wind, 
silence  roses,  silence  doves,  my  Prince  comes!  (She 
looks  without,  then  goes  behind  the  door  of  the 
tin  room,  which  she  leaves  ajar  in  order  to  watch  the 
Prince  through  the  crack.  She  stands  there  in  view  of 
the  spectators,  but  unseen  by  the  Prince.) 

The  Prince. 

(Enters  through  the  archway  at  the  back.  He  is 
dressed  in  black  and  steel  armor.  After  he  has  ob- 
served everything  in  the  room,  he  seats  himself  at  the 


22  SWANWHITE 

table,  takes  off  his  helmet  and  looks  about  him.  He 
turns  his  hack  to  the  door  behind  which  Swanwhite  is 
hidden.)     Is  anyone  here?     If  so,  let  him  answer! 

(Silence.) 

There  is  someone  here,  for  I  feel  the  warmth  of  a 
young  body  enveloping  me  like  a  southwind;  I  hear 
breathing  that  has  an  odor  of  roses,  and,  weak  as  it  is, 
it  sways  the  feather  of  my  helmet.  (He  puts  his  hel- 
met to  his  ear.)  My  helmet  murmurs  like  a  great  shell ; 
those  are  the  thoughts  from  my  head  which  have  col- 
lected there  like  a  swarm  of  bees  in  a  hollow  tree. 
"  Sum !  Sum !"  say  tlie  thoughts — just  as  the  bees 
do,  and  they  buzz  for  the  Queen — the  little  Queen  of  my 
thoughts,  of  my  dreams !  (He  places  the  helmet  before 
him  on  the  table  and  contemplates  it.)  Dark  and 
vaulted  like  the  heavens  at  night,  but  starless,  as  the 
black  feather  darkens  all  since  my  mother  died.  (He 
turns  the  helmet  and  looks  into  it.)  But  there 
in  the  darkness,  deep  in  on  the  other  side,  I  see  a  rift 
of  light — Has  heaven  opened  ? — And  in  the  rift  I  see — 
not  a  star^  as  that  is  like  a  diamond ;  but  a  blue  sap- 
phire, the  queen  of  precious  stones,  the  blue  of  the  sum- 
mer sky,  in  a  milkwhite  cloud,  vaulted  like  a  dovecote. 
What  is  that  ?  Is  that  my  ring  ?  And  a  velvet-black 
feather  cloud  passes  over  it,  and  the  sapphire  laughs: 
but  a  sapphire  cannot  laugh.  ]^ow  it  lightnings,  only 
blue !  Lightning,  flash  without  noise.  Where  art 
thou  ?  (He  looks  at  the  hack  of  the  helmet.)  liJ'ot  there, 
not  here,  nowhere!  (He  nears  his  face  to  the  helmet.) 
I  approach  and  thou  withdrawest! 

(Swanwhite  tiptoes  forward.) 


SWANWHITE  23 

The  Prince. 

Xow  there  are  two — two  eyes — little  human  eyes. 
I  kiss  you.      {He  kisses  the  helmet.) 

(Swamvhite  comes  around  the  table  and  sits  down 
slowly  near  the  Prince.  The  Prince  rises,  lays  his 
hand  on  his  heart  and  bows;  contemplates  Swanwhite.) 

SwANWHITB. 

Art  thou  the  little  Prince  ? 

The  Prince. 
The  young  King's  faithful  servant  and  yours. 

Swanwhite. 
What  says  the  young  King  to  his  bride  ? 

The  Prince. 

He  conveys  a  thousand  loving  greetings  to  Lady 
Swanwhite,  and  says  the  anticipation  of  the  loving  for- 
tune which  awaits  him  will  shorten  his  torment  of 
longing. 

Swanwhite. 

(^Yho  has  observed  the  Prince  with  constant  gaze.) 

"Why  do  you  not  seat  yourself,  my  Prince? 

The  Prince. 

If  I  seated  myself  while  you  were  seated  I  should 
have  to  rest  on  my  knees  when  you  stood ! 


24  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITH. 

Speak  of  the  King !     What  is  his  appearance  ? 

The  Prince. 

His  appearance.     (Holds  his  hand  before  his  eyes.) 
How  wonderful.     I  can  see  him  no  longer ! 

SWANWHITB. 

What  does  that  mean  ? 

The  Prince. 
He  is  gone ;  he  is  invisible. 

SwANWHITE. 

Has  he  grown  tall  ? 

The  Prince. 
(Gazing  at  Swanivhite.) 
Wait !     iNow  I  see  him !     Taller  than  you ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Handsome  ? 

The  Prince. 

He  cannot  be  compared  with  you. 

SwANWHITE. 

Speak  of  the  King,  not  of  me! 


SWANWHITE  25 

The  Prince. 
I  speak  of  the  King ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Is  he  light  or  dark  ? 

The  Peince. 

Were  he  dark  and  saw  you,  he  would  become  light 
at  once. 

SwANWHITE. 

That  is  pretty,  but  not  sensible !     Has  he  blue  eyes  ? 

The  Prince. 
{Looks  into  his  helmet.^ 
I  must  look  and  see ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Holds  her  hands  over  it.) 

Thou !  thou ! 

The  Prince. 

The  young  King  is  a  tall  blonde  man  with  blue  eyes, 
broad  shoulders,  hair  like  young  woodland 

SwANWHITE. 

"Why  doest  thou  wear  a  black  feather  ? 


26  SWANWHITE 

The  Pkince. 

His  lips  are  red  as  holly  berries,  his  cheeks  white, 
and  his  teeth  would  not  shame  a  young  lion ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Why  is  thy  hair  damp  ? 

The  Pkince. 

His  mind  knows  not  fear  and  his  heart  need  never 
shrivel  in  repentance  of  an  evil  action! 

SwANWHITE. 

Why  does  thy  hand  tremble? 

The  Prince. 
We  should  speak  of  the  young  King  and  not  of  me! 

SwANWHITE. 

Thou,  thou,  wilst  thou  teach  me? 

The  Prince. 

That  is  my  mission,  lady,  to  teach  you  to  love  the 
young  King  whose  throne  you  are  to  share ! 

SwANWHITE. 

How  camest  thou  here  from  over  the  sea  ? 

The  Prince. 
With  sails  and  a  cockle. 


SWANWHITE  27 

SWANWHITE. 

In  the  wind? 

The  Prince. 
Without  wind  one  does  not  saiL 

SwANWHITE. 

How  wise  art  thou,  youth!  Wilst  thou  play  with 
me? 

The  Peince. 

What  I  may,  I  will ! 

Swanwhite. 

!N^ow  shalt  thou  see  what  I  have  in  my  coffer.  (She 
goes  to  the  coffer,  and,  l-neeling,  takes  a  doll,  a 
rattle  and  a  hohhy  horse  out  of  it.)  Here  is  the  doll — 
that  is  my  child,  my  careless  child,  who  can  never  keep 
her  face  clean.  I  have  carried  her  in  my  arms  to  the 
wash  room  and  scoured  her  with  white  sand;  but  she 
only  became  dirtier.  I  have  whipped  her,  but  that  does 
no  good.    Now  I  have  thought  up  the  worst  punishment ! 

The  Prince. 
What  is  that,  then? 

Swanwhite. 
(Looks  about  her.) 
She  shall  have  a  stepmother! 


28  SWANWHITE 

The  Peince. 

But  how  can  that  be  done?  First  she  must  have  a 
mother ! 

SWANWHITE. 

Yes,  I  am  that,  and  if  I  marry  again  I  shall  become  a 
stepmother. 

The  Peii^ce. 

No!  What  sayest  thou?  That  is  not  the  way  it's 
done! 

SwANWHITE. 

And  thou  shalt  become  a  stepfather ! 

The  Peince. 
Oh,  no ! 

SwANWHITE. 

But  thou  must  be  kind  to  her,  even  if  she  can't  wash 
her  face.  Take  her,  that  I  may  see  if  thou  canst  hold 
a  baby ! 

{The  Prince  reluctantly  takes  the  doll.) 

SwANWHITE. 

Thou  doest  not  know  how  yet,  but  thou  wilt  learn. 
Now  take  the  rattle  and  rattle  it  for  her! 

(The  Prince  takes  the  rattle.) 

SwANWHITE. 

Thou  doest  not  understand  that,  I  see  well.  (Takes 
the  doll  and  the  rattle  and  throws  thenv  hack  into  the 


SWANWHITE  29 

coffer.  Then  takes  up  the  hohby  horse.)  Here  is  my 
courser — be  has  a  silver  saddle  and  golden  shoes — he 
makes  seven  miles  an  hour,  and  I  have  ridden  him 
through  the  smoke  wood,  over  the  great  heath,  on  the 
King's  bridge,  through  the  highway  and  the  Way  of 
Anguish,  until  I  came  to  the  Sea  of  Tears !  And  there 
he  lost  a  golden  shoe,  which  fell  into  the  sea,  then  came 
a  fish,  and  then  came  a  fisherman,  and  so  I  got  my 
golden  horseshoe  again.     Now  you  know  that! 

{Throws  the  hohby  horse  into  the  coffer.  Takes  out 
a  chess  hoard  with  red  and  white  squares  and  men  of 
gold  and  silver.)  If  thou  wilt  play  with  me,  sit  down 
there  on  the  lion's  skin. 

(She  sits  on  the  lion's  shin  and  sets  up  the  chess 
men.)  Sit  down  here,  the  maidens  can't  see  us  here. 
(The  Prince  sits  down  despondently  on  the  lions  skin.) 

SwANWHITE. 

(Passes  her  hand  through  the  hair  and  mane  of  the 

hide.) 

This  is  as  if  we  were  sitting  on  the  grass,  not  on  the 
green  grass  of  the  meadows,  but  in  the  wastes  burned 
by  the  sun.  Now  thou  must  say  something  about  me! 
Doest  thou  love  me  a  little  ? 

The  Prince. 
(Embarrassed.) 
Shall  we  not  play? 


30  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

Play?     What  do  I  care  about  that?     (Sighs.)     01 
Thou  wishest  to  teach  me  something ! 

The  Prince. 

"What  do  I  know,  save  how  to  bear  arms  and  saddle 
a  horse  ?     That  can  be  of  little  service  to  you. 

SWANWIIITE. 

Thou  art  sad? 

The  Prince. 
My  mother  is  dead. 

SwANWHITE. 

Poor  Prince !  My  mother,  too,  is  with  God  in  Heaven 
and  has  become  an  angel.  Sometimes  I  see  her  at 
night ;  doest  thou  see  thy  mother  so  ? 

The  Prince. 
No-o-o! 

SwANWHITE. 

Hast  thou  a  stepmother  ? 

The  Prince. 
!N'ot  yet.    Only  lately  was  my  mother  laid  on  the  bier. 

SwANWHITE. 

Thou  must  not  be  sad.  Everything  passes.  Now 
thou  shalt  have  a  flag  from  me  to  make  thee  glad  again ; 


SWANWHITE  31 

but,  truly,  I  embroidered  this  for  the  young  King ;  now 
I  shall  embroider  one  for  thee.  On  the  King's  are  seven 
glowing  flames.  Now  thou  shalt  have  one  with  seven 
red  roses — but  thou  must  hold  the  wool  for  me.  {She 
takes  a  rosy  hank  of  wool  out  of  the  coffer  and  hands 
it  to  the  Prince).  One,  two,  three !  Now  I  begin,  but 
thy  hand  must  not  shaken  Perhaps  thou  wouldst  like 
to  have  one  of  my  hairs  mingled  with  the  wool  ?  Pull 
one  out! 

The  Prince. 

No,  no;  I  can't  do  that 


SwANWHITE. 

Then  I'll  do  it.      (She  pulls  out  a  hair  and  works 
it  into  the  wool.) 
What  is  thy  name  ? 

The  Prince. 

That  thou  must  not  ask ! 

SwANWHITE. 

"Why  not  ? 

The  Prince. 

Did  not  the  Duke  say  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

(Roguishly.) 

No !     What  would  be  the  result  if  one  said  his  name  ? 
Could  anything  dangerous  happen? 


32  SWANWHITE 

The  Prince. 

(Blitshing.) 
Didn't  the  Duke  say  ? 

SWANWHITE. 

^N'ever  have  I  heard  that  nobody  might  call  him  by 
name. 

{The  curtains  which  conceal  the  peacock  move,  and  one 
hears  an  undefined  sound  like  that  of  castanets.) 

The  Prince. 

(Listening.) 
What  is  that? 

SwANWHITE. 

(Uneasily.) 

That  is  the  peacock.     Doest  thou  think  he  under- 
stands what  we  are  saying? 

The  Prince. 

Who  can  know  ? 

(The  peacock  claps  his  hill  again.) 

The  Prince. 

I  am  growing  afraid.     Thou  must  not  ask  me  any- 
thing more ! 

SWANWIIITE. 

He  claps  with  his  bill.     Hold  thy  hands  still.     Hast 


SWANWHITE  33 

thou  heard  the  fairy  tale  of  the  little  princess,  who 
could  not  call  the  prince  by  his  name,  or  something 
•would  happen?     Doest  thou  know  what? 

{Tlie  curtain  hiding  the  peacock  is  drawn  to  one  side, 
showing  the  bird.  The  peacock  has  spread  his  tail  so 
that  all  its  eyes  seem  to  he  spying  on  Swanwhite  and  the 
Prince.) 

The  Prince. 

Who  has  pulled  the  curtains?  Who  bade  the  bird 
spy  on  us  with  his  hundred  eyes  ?  Thou  darest  not  ask 
any  more! 

Swanwhite. 

Possibly  it  is  so !     Lie  down,  peacock,  now ! 

{The  curtain  is  drawn  together  again.) 

The  Prince. 
Is  this  place  haunted  ? 

Swanwhite. 

Thou  meanest  that  such  things  happen.  Yes,  so 
much  happens  here;  but  I  am  so  used  to  it!  And  be- 
side (in  an  undertone)  it  is  said  that  my  stepmother 
is  a  witch !     Xow  I  have  stuck  my  finger ! 

The  Prince. 
With  what  hast  thou  stuck  thyself  ? 

Swanwhite. 

There  was  a  splinter  in  the  wool !     The  sheep  have 
3 


34  SWANWHITE 

been  standing  in  their  stalls  all  winter — and  so  it  hap- 
pened.    Canst  thou  pull  out  the  splinter? 

The  Peince. 

Yes,  but  we  must  sit  down  by  the  table  so  that  I  can 
see. 

{They  rise  and  sit  again  near  the  tahle.) 

SwANWHITE. 

(Reaches  her  little  finger  toward  him.) 
Seest  thou  anything? 

The  Pkince. 

(More  boldly  than  before.) 

Do  I  see  anything?     Through  the  rosiness  of  thy 
hand  I  see  life  and  the  world  in  rose  color. 

SwANWHITE. 

Pull  out  the  splinter !     It  hurts  me ! 

The  Prince. 

But  I  shall  have  to  hurt  thee.     Forgive  me  in  ad- 
vance. 


SWANWHITE  35 

SWANWHITE. 

So,  then,  but  belp  me ! 

The  Pkince. 

(Holds  her  little  finger  and  pulls  the  splinter  out  with 

his  nails.) 

There  it  is,  the  evil  thing  which  dared  to  hurt  thee ! 

(Throws  the  splinter  on  the  ground  and  stamps  on  it.) 

SwANWHITE. 

Now  thou  must  suck  the  blood,  or  it  will  make  a  sore. 

The  Pkince. 

(Sucks  her  finger.) 

!N"ow  that  I  have   drunk  thy  blood  we   are  foster 
brethren. 

Swanwhite. 

"Brethren,"  yes,  but  we  were  that  already,  other- 
wise why  did  I  say  "  thou  ?" 

The  Pkince. 
Hast  thou  said  "  thou  ?"     What  did  I  say  to  thee  ? 

Swanwhite. 

See,  he  didn't  notice  it.     ITow  I  have  a  little  brother, 
and  thou  art  he !     Little  brother,  take  my  hand ! 


36  SWANWHITE 

The  Pkince. 
{Takes  her  hand.) 
Little  sister! 

(Notices  her  pulse.) 

What  have  you  here  that  ticks — one,  two,  three? 
{Counts  the  numbers  softly  after  looking  at  the  clock.) 

SwANWHITE. 

What  does  tick  there  ?  Evenly,  evenly !  The  heart 
is  not  in  one's  hand,  but  lies  under  one's  breast.  Feel ; 
there  wilt  thou  feel  it! 

{The  doves  move  and  coo.) 

SwANWHITE. 

What  is  it,  my  little  white  ones  ? 

The  Pkince. 

Sixty !  'Now  I  know  what  ticks.  It  is  time !  Thy 
little  finger  is  the  second-hand,  that  has  ticked  off  sixty 
seconds  as  a  minute  has  passed.  Eelievest  thou  there 
is  a  heart  in  the  clock? 

SwANWHITE. 

{Turns  the  clock's  hands  with  her  finger.) 
We  cannot  get  inside  the  clock!     Just  as  little  can 
we  into  the  heart.     Feel  my  heart! 

SiGNE.      . 

{Comes  from  the  tin  room  with  a  steel  scourge,  which 
she  lays  on  the  table.) 
The  Duchess  orders  the  children  to  sit  on  different 
sides  of  the  table. 


SAVANWHITE  37 

(The  Prince  and  Swanivhite  seat  themselves  opposite 

each  other.) 

(They  remain  silent  for  a  while.) 

SWANWHITE. 

We  are  far   away  from  each   other,   but  therefore 
nearer. 

The  Prince. 

One  is  never  so  near  to  another  as  when  forced  to  be 
separated. 

SwANWHITE. 

And  thou  knowest  that? 

The  Peince. 
I  discover  it  now. 

Swanwhite. 
Now  thou  beginnest  to  teach  me ! 

The  Prince. 
Thou  me ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Points  to  the  fruitery.) 
Wilst  thou  eat  some  fruit  ? 

The  Prince. 

No,  eating  is  so  ugly ! 


38  SWANWHITE 

SwANWHITE. 

Yes,  that  it  is ! 

(Silence.) 

The  Pkince. 

There  stand  three  maidens  there,  one  in  the  tin  room, 
one  in  the  clothes  room,  one  in  the  fruiterj.  Why  do 
thej  stand  there  ? 

SwANWIIITE. 

In  order  to  watch  lis,  that  we  don't  do  anything  for- 
bidden ! 

The  Pkince. 

Dare  we  not  go  into  the  rose  garden? 

SwANWHITE. 

I  can  only  go  in  the  rose  garden  in  the  morning,  as 
Stepmother's  bloodhounds  are  loose  there  now.  On 
the  strand  dare  I  never  go,  and  therefore  I  can  never 
bathe. 

The  Pkince. 

If  thou  hast  never  been  on  the  strand,  hast  thou  never 
heard  how  the  sea  washes  the  sands  ? 

Swanwiiite. 

Never!  Here  I  can  only  hear  the  tossing  of  the 
waves  when  a  storm  comes. 

The  Prince. 

Hast  thou  never  heard  the  sough  of  the  wind  when 
it  blows  over  the  water  ? 


SWANWHITE  39 

SwANWHITE. 

That  cannot  be  heard  from  here. 

The  Prince. 
(Passes  his  helmet  to  Sivanwhite.) 
Listen  in  that  and  thou  wilt  hear  it ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Holds  the  helmet  to  her  ear.) 
What  is  that  I  hear  ? 

The  Prince. 
The  song  of  the  sea,  the  whisper  of  the  winds. 

SwANWHITE. 

No,  I  hear  human  voices — hush!  Stepmother  is 
speaking — she  speaks  to  the  gardener.  She  utters  my 
name,  and  then  that  of  the  young  King!  She  speaks 
evil  words — she  swears  I  shall  not  be  a  queen — and  she 
swears — that — thou — shalt  have  her  daughter — the  ugly 
Lena. 

The  Prince. 

Truly !     Canst  thou  hear  that  in  the  helmet  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Yes! 

The  Prince. 

I  knew  nothing  of  that.  But  I  received  the  helmet 
as  a  christening  present  from  my  godfather ! 


40  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

Wilst  thou  give  me  a  feather  ? 

The  Peince. 
With  all  my  heart. 

SwANWHITE. 

But  thou  must  cut  it  so  that  I  can  write  with  it. 

The  Prince. 
Thou  canst  do  that  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Father  taught  me. 

(The  Prince  pulls  a  hlacJc  feather  from  his  helmet, 
takes  a  silver-mounted  knife  from  his  girdle,  and  makes 
the  pen.) 

(Swanwhite  takes  ink  and  parchment  out  of  the  table 

drawer.) 

The  Peince. 
Who  is  the  Lady  Lena  ? 

SWANWIIITE. 

(Writing.) 
What  is  she?     Wilst  thou  have  her? 

The  Peince. 
Evil  deeds  are  brewing  in  this  house! 


SWANWHITE  41 

SWANWHITE. 

Fear  not!     Father  has  given  me  a  gift  which  will 
bring  aid  in  the  hour  of  need. 

The  Pkixce. 
What  callest  thou  it  ? 

SwANWHITIi. 

It  is  the  horn  Standby. 

The  Pkince. 
Where  is  it  hidden? 

SwANWHITE. 

Eead  in  my  eyes.     I  dare  not  say  where  before  the 
maidens. 

The  Pkince. 

{Looks  into  her  eyes.) 
I  see  it! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Piishes  inh,  pen  and  parchment  across  the  table  to 

him.) 

Write ! 

(The  Prince  writes.) 

SWANWHITU. 

Yes,  that  is  right ! 

(Resumes  writing.) 


42  SWANWHITE 

The  Pkince. 
What  writest  thou  ? 

SWANWIIITE. 

Names.     All  the  beautiful  names  of  princes. 

The  Pkince. 
Mine  as  well  ? 

SWANWIIITE. 

Thine  also. 

The  Pkince. 
Touch  not  on  that. 

SwANWHITE. 

Now  have  1  written  twenty  names,  all  that  I  knew^ 
and  thy  name  stands  among  them.  (Passes  the  parch- 
ment across  the  table.)     Read! 

(The  Prince  reads.) 

SwANWHITE. 

(Claps  her  hands.) 
Oh,  I  read  it  in  thy  eyes ! 

The  Pkince. 

Say  it  not!  In  the  name  of  the  Merciful  God  say 
it  not ! 

SwANWHITE. 

I  read  it  in  thy  eyes! 


SWANWHITE  43 

The  Pkixce. 
But  say  it  not,  say  it  not ! 

SWANWHITE. 

Why  not  ?     What  would  happen  then  ?     Shall  Lena 
say  it — thy  bride,  thy  loved  one? 

The  Peince. 
Oh,  be  silent,  silent ! 

SwANWHITE. 

{Has  risen  and  dances  about  the  room.) 

I  know  his  name,  the  most  beautiful  name  in  the 
world ! 

{The  Prince  catches  her  and  holds  his  hand  over  her 

mouth.) 

SwANWHITE. 

!ITow  I  bite  thy  hand,  now  I  suck  thy  blood,  now  we 
are  doubly  kin.     Dost  thou  know  what  that  means? 

The  Prince. 
That  we  are  two  of  a  kin. 

Swanwhite. 

{Throws  bach  her  head.)' 

0-ho-ho-ho!     Seest  thou,  there  is  a  hole  in  the  roof 
and  I  see  the  sky,  a  little  bit  of  sky,  a  pane,  and  back 


44  SWANWHITE 

of  the  pane  a  face.     Is  it  that  of  an  angel  ?     ^o,  see, 
see — it  is  thy  face! 

The  Peince. 

The  angels  are  little  girls  and  not  little  boys ! 

SwANWHITE. 

But  thou  art  there. 

The  Prince. 

{Looks  at  the  roof.) 
It  is  a  mirror. 

SwANWHITE. 

Woe  to  us!  It  is  Stepmother's  magic  mirror.  She 
has  seen  everything !  ♦ 

The  Prince. 

And  in  the  mirror  I  see  a  chimney-piece,  and  in  the 
chimney-piece  hangs  a  pumpkin. 

Swanwhite. 

(Takes  a  bright-colored  but  peculiarly  formed  pumpkin 
from  the  chimney-piece.) 

What  is  this  ?  It  is  shaped  like  an  ear !  The  witch 
has  heard  us  also !  Woe  upon  us !  {Throws  the  pump- 
kin back  into  the  fireplace.  Runs  toward  the  bed,  but 
stops  suddenly  with  one  foot  in  the  air.)  Oh!  she  has 
strewn  needles  on  the  floor  {sits  down  and  rubs  her 
foot). 

{The  Prince  falls  on  his  knees  by  Swanwhite  to  aid 

her.) 


SWANWHITE  45 

SWANWHITE. 

"No,  thou  darest  not  touch  my  foot !     Thou  darest  not ! 

The  Pkince. 

Dear  heart,  you  must  take  off  your  stocking  so  I  can 
help  you! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Sobs.) 
Thou  darest  not,  thou  darest  not  see  my  foot ! 

The  Peince. 
But  why  not  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

(Pulls  her  foot  under  her.) 

I  can't  tell,  I  cannot.  Go,  go  away !  To-morrow  I 
will  tell  why.     To-day  I  cannot ! 

The  Prince. 
Eut  the  little  foot  is  hurt ;  I  must  get  out  the  needle ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Weeps.) 

Go,rgo,  go!  Oh,  no,  thou  darest  not!  If  mother 
had  lived  this  would  never  have  happened!  Mother! 
Mother !     Mother ! 

The  Prince. 

I  don't  comprehend.     Art  thou  afraid  of  me? 


46  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

Thou  must  not  ask.     Go  at  once.     Oli! 

The  Peince. 
(Sadly  rising.) 
"What  have  I  done? 

Swanwhite. 

Don't  go  'way;  I  didn't  want  to  grieve  thee;  but  I 
cannot  say.     If  I  could  reach  the  shore  in  the  white 

sand 

The  Pkince. 

What  then  ? 

Swanwhite. 

I  can't  say  it !     I  cannot ! 

(Hides  her  face  in  her  hands.) 

(The  peacock  claps  his  heaJc,  the  doves  grow  restless. 
The  three  maidens  appear  in  a  row ;  the  wind  sighs,  and 
the  trees  sway  in  the  rose  garden.  The  golden  clouds 
above  the  sea  disappear,  the  blue  sea  itself  darkens.) 

Swanwhite. 

(Who  lias  noticed  these  portents.) 

Is  heaven  holding  judgment  over  us  ?  Is  misfortune 
in  the  house  ?  Oh,  that  I  could  mourn  Mother  out  of 
the  black  earth! 


SWANWHITE  47 

The  Peince. 
(Lays  his  hand  on  his  sword.) 
For  thee,  my  life ! 

SwASrWHITE. 

!N'ot  so,  she  blunts  swords  also!  Oh,  that  I  could 
mourn  Mother  out  of  the  black  earth ! 

(The  swallows  twitter  in  their  nest.) 

SWANWHITE. 

What  was  that  ? 

The  Pkince. 

(Notices  the  swallows'  nest.) 

A  swallows'  nest.     I  didn't  see  it  till  now ! 

Swanwhite. 

ISTor  I !  How  did  it  come  here  ?  Likely  it  portends 
good.  But  I  sweat  with  terror,  and  the  air  is  op- 
pressive. See,  even  the  rose  there  begins  to  wither 
as  the  evil  woman  nears,  for  it  is  she  who  comes. 

(The  rose  on  the  table  has  begun  to  close  its  petals  and 
to  hang  its  leaves.) 

The  Prince. 
But  the  swallows,  whence  came  they  here  ? 


48  SWANWHITE 

SwAIsWHITE. 

Certainly  not  from  the  evil  woman,  for  the  swallows 
are  good  birds.     Now  she  is  here! 


The  Stepmothek. 

(Enters  from  the  hack  with  a  step  like  a  panther.     The 
rose  withers  on  the  table.) 

Signe,  take  the  horn  from  the  bed ! 

(Signe  takes  the  horn  from  the  bed.) 

The  Stepmothek. 
Prince,  whither  do  you  wish  to  go? 

The  Prince. 

Duchess,  it  is  late  in  the  evening,  the  sun  seeks  the 
valley,  and  my  cockle  wishes  to  sail  homeward. 

The  Stepmothee. 

It  is  all  too  late  in  the  day ;  the  doors  are  shut  and  the 
dogs  let  loose.     Do  you  know  my  dogs  ? 

The  Prince. 

Yes,  but  do  you  know  my  sword  ? 


SWANWHITE  49 

The  Stepmotiiek. 
Is  anything  on  the  sword  ? 

The  Pkince. 
Blood,  at  times ! 

The  Stepmother. 

0-ho !  But  not  the  Mood  of  women  ?  Listen !  Will 
you  sleep  in  the  blue  room  ? 

The  Prince. 
Ko,  by  God,  I  will  sleep  at  home  in  my  bed ! 

The  Stepmother. 

WiU  that  be  often  ? 

The  Prince. 
Many  times. 

The  Stepmother. 

How  many  times  ?     So  many  times  ?     One,  two ! 

(As  the  Duchess  begins  to  count  her  henchmen  defile 
outside  on  the  veranda,  all  stern,  several  of  them  armed, 
hut  none  looks  into  the  chamber;  the  steward,  the  jailer, 
the  hailiff,  the  head  cook,  the  jailer's  assistant,  the  head 
gardener,  and  the  rest  of  them.) 

The  Prince. 

I  will  sleep  in  the  blue  room ! 
4 


50  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmother. 

I  thought  as  much!  Then  I  wish  his  highness  a 
thousand  times  good-night.     Swanwhite  does  that  also  I 

{A  swan  flies  over  the  rose  garden.  A  poppy  falls 
from  the  roof  on  the  Stepmother,  and  she  and  the 
maidens  fall  asleep.) 

Swanwhite. 
{Approaching  the  Prince.) 
Good-night,  Prince. 

The  Peince. 
{Seizes  her  hand  and  says  under  his  breath.) 

Good-night,  Oh,  I  dare  sleep  under  the  same  roof 
as  my  princess,  my  dreams  will  embrace  thy  dreams, 
and  to-morrow  we  will  rise  to  new  games,  new 

Swanwhite. 
{Under  her  breath.) 

l^ow,  thou  art  my  first  and  my  everything  on  earth, 
thou  art  my  father — since  she  has  robbed  me  of  his 
mighty  protection.     See,  she  sleeps! 

The  Prince. 
Sawest  thou  the  swan? 

Swanwhite. 
No,  but  I  heard  it.     It  was  my  mother ! 


SWANWHITE  51 

The  Pkixce. 
Fly  with  me ! 

SwANWHITE. 

1^0,  we  dare  not  do  that !  Patience !  We  shall  meet 
in  our  dreams,  shall  we  not  ?  But  for  that  to  come  to 
pass,  thou  must  love  me  more  than  anything  on  earth! 
Love  me,  thou,  thou,  thou ! 

The  Prince. 
My  King  and  ray  troth! 

Swanwhite. 
Thy  Queen  and  thy  heart — that  am  I ! 

The  Pki:s'ce. 


I  am  a  knight. 


SwANWHITE. 


That  I  am  not!  And  therefore  I  take  thee, 
Prince — ! 

{She  holds  her  hand  to  her  mouth  and  whispers  his 

name.) 

The  Peixce. 
Woe,  what  doest  thou  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Thou  obtainst  me  with  thy  name,  regain  thyself  witli 
me  on  thy  pinions.  Thou — {Whispers  his  name 
again.) 


52  SWANWHITE 

The  Prince. 

(As  if  he  caught  the  name  in  the  air  with  his  hands.) 

Doest  thou  throw  a  rose  ?  {He  throws  her  a  kiss), 
Swanwhite ! 

SWANWHITE. 

Thou  gavest  me  a  violet !  That  is  thy  soul !  Now 
I  drink  thee;  now  I  have  thee  in  my  bosom,  in  my 
heart;  now  art  thou  mine! 

The  Prince. 
And  thou  mine !     Who  is  the  owner  ? 

Swanwhite. 

We! 

The  Prince. 

We,  thou  and  I! 

Swanwhite. 

Viola! 

The  Prince. 

Kosa! 

Swanwhite. 

Viola! 

The  Prince. 

I  love  thee! 

Swanwhite. 

Thou  lovest  me? 

The  Prince. 
Thou  lovest  me  ? 


SWANWHITE  53 

SWANWHITE. 


I  love  thee ! 


{The  scene  lightens.  The  rose  on  the  table  revives 
and  opens.  The  faces  of  the  Stepmother  and  the 
maidens  are  illuminated  and  assume  an  appearance  of 
beauty,  goodness  and  happiness.  The  Stepmother, 
drunh  ivitli  sleep,  raises  her  head,  and  with  closed  eyes 
seems  to  contetnplate  the  happiness  of  the  children  with 
a  sunny  smile.) 

SwANWHITE. 

See,  see,  the  cruel  one  smiles  as  if  in  recollection  of 
her  youthful  days ;  see,  the  malicious  Signe  is  all  truth 
and  faith,  ugly  Tofva  is  beautiful,  and  little  Elsa  is  full- 
sized  ! 

The  Pkince. 

That  is  our  love ! 

SwANWHITE. 

That  is  love.  May  God  bless  it,  Almighty  God  the 
Creator. 

{She  falls  on  her  Tcnees  and  weeps.) 

The  Prince. 
Thou  weepest? 

SwANWHITE. 

Yes,  because  I  am  happy ! 

The  Pkince. 
Come  to  my  arms  and  thou  wilt  smile! 


64  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

In  thy  arms  I  should  like  to  die ! 

The  Pkince. 
Laugh  and  die! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Rising.) 
Would  I  might  die! 

(The  Prince  takes  her  in  his  arms.) 

The  Stepmother. 

(Walces  and  strikes  the  table  with  the  scourge  when  she 

sees  the  children.) 

I  believe  I  have  slumbered  I  0-ho !  Are  we  there  ? 
Said  I  the  blue  chamber!  I  meant  in  the  blue  tower! 
The  Prince  shall  sleep  with  the  iron  maiden.    Maidens ! 

(The  maidens  awaken.) 

The  Stepmothee. 

Show  the  Prince  the  nearest  way  to  the  blue  tower. 
And  if  you  cannot  do  it  call  the  bailiff,  the  steward, 
the  jailer  and  the  turnkey! 

The  Pkince.' 
It  is  not  necessary.     I  will  go  tlirough  fire  and  in 


SWANWHITE  55 

water,  beneath  the  earth,  above  the  clouds,  and  with  me 
I  shall  take  Swanwhite;  as  she  is  everywhere  where  I 
am !  Xow  I  shall  go  in  order  to  take  her — to  the  blue 
tower.  Canst  thou  bewitch  ?  Then  bewitch — it  is  dif- 
ficult, because  thou  hast  not  love ! 

(Goes,  accompanied  hy  the  maidens.) 


The  Stepmothee. 

{To  Swanwhite.) 

Thou  needest  few  words.     Therefore  express  thyself 
briefiv ! 

Swanwhite. 

My  first  and  highest  wish  is  pure  water,  in  order  that 
I  can  bathe  my  feet ! 

The  Stepmother. 
Cold  or  warm  ? 

Swanwhite. 
If  I  may  choose,  warm. 

The  Stepmother. 
Furthermore  ? 

Swanwhite. 

A  comb  to  put  my  hair  in  order. 


56  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmotheb. 
Gold  or  silver  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Art  thou,  art  thou  good  ? 

The  Stepmother. 
Gold  or  silver  ? 

Swanwhite. 

Wood  or  horn  is  good  enough  for  me. 

The  Stepmother. 
rurthermore  ? 

Swanwhite. 
A  clean  shift! 

The  Stepmother. 
Silk  or  linen? 

Swanwhite. 
Linen ! 

The  Stepmother. 

Good !  I  have  heard  thy  wishes.  Listen  now  to 
mine !  I  wish  that  thou  shalt  have  no  water,  neither 
cold  nor  warm.  I  wish  that  thou  shalt  have  no  comb, 
neither  of  wood  nor  of  horn,  much  less  of  gold  or  of 
silver.  That  is  how  good  I  am.  I  wish  that  thou  shalt 
wear  no  linen,  but  that  thou  goest  at  once  to  the  clothes 
room  and  cloth  thy  body  in  a  black  woolen  shift !  Let 
this  be  thy  answer!  And  if  thou  shouldst  escape  from 
this  chamber,  which  thou  canst  not  do,  for  I  have  sur- 
rounded it  with  snares,  thou  shalt  be  given  to  death, 
or  I  shall  score  that  little  mouth  of  thine  with  the 


SWANWHITE  57 

scourge,  so  that  neither  Prince  nor  King  shall  look  at 
thee!     Now  go  and  lie  down! 

(Lashes  the  table  with  the  scourge,  then  closes  the 
triple  archway  in  the  hach  with  golden  trellised  gates, 
which  creah  and  screech.) 

CUETAIN. 


ACT   II 

{The  same  scene  as  before;  hut  the  golden  portals  are 
closed.  The  peacoch  and  the  doves  slumber.  The  dis- 
tant landscape,  the  sea  and  the  golden  clouds  are  darJc. 
Bwanwhite,  clad  in  the  black  woolen  robe,  lies  on  the 
bed.  The  doors  of  the  tin  room,  the  clothes  room  and 
the  fruitery  are  open,  and  ivithin  these  rooms  stand  the 
three  maidens  with  their  eyes  closed  and  little  Roman 
lamps  burning  in  their  hands. 

A  swan  flies  over  the  rose  garden  outside,  and  one 
hears  a  chord  of  trumpet  tones  as  of  swans  meeting. 

Swanwhite's  mother  appears  at  the  portal.  She  is 
dressed  in  white,  carries  a  little  golden  harp  and  has  a 
swan's  shin  thrown  over  one  arm.  She  hangs  the  skin 
on  the  portal,  which  opens  and  closes  of  its  own  accord. 

The  mother  enters,  lays  the  harp  on  the  table,  then 
*  looks  about  her  and  notices  Swanwhite.  The  harp  be- 
gins to  play;  the  maidens  lamps  are  extinguished  one 
after  another,  the  one  farthest  away  first;  the  doors  of 
the  rooms  then  shut  themselves  one  after  the  other,  be- 
ginning with  the  Tnost  distant. 

The  golden  clouds  resume  their  former  brilliancy. 

The  mother  places  a  lamp  on  the  lampadarium,  then 
goes  to  the  bed  and  falls  beside  it  on  her  knees.) 
(The  harp  plays  during  the  following  scene.) 

(The  mother  rises,  takes  Swanwhite  from  the  bed  and 
places  her  in  the  big  armchair,  but  without  awakening 


SWANWHITE  59 

Swanwhite.  Falling  on  her  Icnees,  the  mother  pulls 
off  her  daughter's  stockings  and  lays  them  under  the 
hed.  Then,  bending  over  Swanwhite's  little  feet,  she 
appears  to  wash  them  with  her  tears.  Afterward,  first 
drying  them  with  a  white  linen  napkin  and  kissing 
them,  she  fastens  sandals  on  Swanwhite's  feet,  which 
now  appear  snowy  white.  Rising  again,  the  mother 
takes  a  golden  comb  and  puts  Swanwhite's  hair  in  order. 
Then  she  carries  her  to  bed  again,  and  taking  a  ivhite 
shift  from  her  pocket  lays  it  beside  Swanwhite  on  the 
coverlid.  Kissing  her  daughter  on  the  brow,  she  then 
prepares  to  leave.  Another  swan  flies  by  outside,  and 
again  one  hears  the  same  swan  strain  as  before.  Im- 
mediately afterward  the  Prince's  mother,  clad  in  white, 
comes  through  the  portal,  upon  which  she  hangs  her 
swans  skin.) 

Swanwhite's  Mothek. 

"Well  met,  sister !     Is  it  long  till  cock  crow  ? 

The  Pkince's  Mothek. 

Xot  too  long !  Already  the  dew  is  leaving  the  roses, 
the  land  rail  trumpets  in  the  hay,  and  the  sunrise  peeps 
over  the  sea^ 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

Let  us  hasten  to  our  purpose,  sister ! 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

Thou  hast  called  me  in  order  that  we  might  speak 
of  our  children ! 


60  SWANWHITE 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

I  wandered  in  a  green  meadow  in  the  land  where 
there  is  no  sorrow,  and  there  I  found  thee,  whom  I  did 
not  know  then,  but  whom  I  had  known  always.  Thou 
sorrowed  to  me  over  thy  poor  boy  left  to  wander  alone 
in  the  vale  of  sorrow,  thou  opened  thy  heart  to  me  and 
my  own  thoughts,  loath  to  lift  themselves  from  here, 
sought  my  poor  forsaken  child — betrothed  to  the  young 
King,  that  cruel  and  evil  man. 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

Then  I  spoke,  and  you  listened !  Might  not  the 
worthy  mate  with  the  worthy;  might  not  Love,  the 
powerful,  rule;  and  might  not  we  unite  the  orphaned 
hearts  so  that  they  should  console  each  other  ? 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

And  their  hearts  have  exchanged  kisses ;  their  souls 
have  embraced  each  other.  Oh,  may  sorrow  change  to 
joy,  and  the  earth  rejoice  over  their  youthful  happiness ! 

The  Prince's  Mother. 
May  the  Higher  Power  permit  it ! 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 
That  shall  be  tested  in  the  fire  of  suffering. 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

(Takes  up  the  helmet  left  behind  hy  the  Prince.) 

May  sorrow  change  to  joy — to-morrow  morning,  the 
anniversary  of  his  sorrow  for  his  mother! 


SWANWHITE  61 

(She  removes  the  hlach  feathers  which  surround  the 
white  and  red  ones.) 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

Give  me  thy  hand,  sister.     Xow  may  the  temptation 
make  a  beginning. 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

Here  is  my  hand,  the  hand  which  has  enclosed  that 
of  my  son.     Now  we  have  betrothed  them. 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 
In  all  honor  and  propriety. 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

Now  I  go  to  open  the  blue  tower.     Then  may  the 
children  take  each  other  in  their  arms. 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 
In  all  honor  and  propriety. 

The  Prince's  Mother. 

And  we  shall  meet  again  in  the  green  meadows  where 
there  is  no  sorrow. 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

(Motioning  toward  Swanwhite.) 

Listen!     She   dreams   of  him.     That  foolish,   fond 
woman  believed  it  was  possible  to  separate  two  lovers ! 


62  SWANWHITE 

IN'ow  they  are  wandering  hand  and  hand  through  the 
land  of  dreams  under  the  whispering  fir  trees,  beneath 
the  sporting  lindens,  and  they  themselves  sport  and 
laugh. 

The  Pkince's  Mothee. 

Still!  The  morning  dawns.  I  hear  the  twitter  of 
the  robin  and  see  the  stars  vanishing  from  the  firma- 
ment.    Farewell,  sister! 

(Goes,  taking  her  swanskin  with  her.) 

Swanwhite's  Mother. 

Farewell !  (She  passes  her  hand  over  Swanwhite  g^ 
if  in  'blessing,  then  goes,  taking  her  swanskin  and  leav- 
ing the  door  shut  behind  her.) 

(The  clock  on  the  table  strikes  thrice.  The  harp  on 
the  table  is  silent  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  begins  a 
beautiful  new  melody;  Swanwhite  awakes,  looks  about 
her,  listens  to  the  harp,  runs  her  hands  through  her 
hair,  contemplates  with  joy  her  little  white  feet,  notices 
the  white  shift  on  the  bed.  Then  she  seats  herself  at 
her  former  place  at  the  table  and  acts  as  she  did  when 
the  Prince  sat  near  her.  She  looks  in  his  eyes,  laughs  a 
laugh  of  recognition  and  reaches  him  her  hand.  Her 
lips  move  as  if  she  tvere  speaking;  and  she  seems  to 
listen  to  answers. 

She  notes  expressively  the  red  and  white  feathers  on 
the  helmet,  bends  forward  as  if  she  whispered,  throws 
hack  her  head  and  inhales  as  if  she  smelted  a  sweet 
odor;  catches  at  the  air  and   then  kisses  her  fingers 


SWANWHITE  G3 

as  if  catching  and  returning  a  Jcissj  caresses  the  pen  as 
if  she  were  a  hird  preening  its  feathers,  then  writes 
with  it  and  passes  the  parchment  across  the  table;  seems 
to  follow  "  his  "  pen  with  her  eyes  as  it  writes  the  an- 
swer; takes  hack  the  parchment  and  puts  it  in  her 
bosom.  She  strokes  her  black  garment,  calling  attention 
by  signs  to  the  mournful  change  it  makes  in  her  outward 
appearance,  then  smiles  at  the  silent  answer  and  breaks 
into  a  rippling  laugh.  She  shows  in  pantomime  that 
her  hair  is  combed,  then  retires  into  the  dressing  room, 
from  which  she  coyly  protrudes  her  bare  foot.  Stand- 
ing in  that  position,  she  awaits  an  answer,  which  em- 
barrasses her,  and  she  quickly  hides  her  foot. 

Then  she  goes  to  the  coffer,  takes  out  the  chess  board 
and  men,  lays  them  on  the  lion's  skin,  makes  a  gesture 
of  invitation,  arranges  the  pieces,  then  begins  the  game 
as  if  playing  with  one  unseen  by  the  spectators. 

The  harp  is  silent  for  a  moment,  then  begins  a  new 
melody. 

The  game  of  chess  is  discontinued,  and  Swanwhite  is 
seen  talking  to  her  invisible  companion.  Presently 
she  draws  back  as  if  he  came  too  near,  makes  a  guard- 
ing gesture,  then  springs  up  like  a  feather.  She  con- 
templates the  invisible  one  long  and  reproachfully,  then 
takes  the  shift  from  the  counterpane  and  hides  herself 
behind  the  bed.) 


64  SWANWHITE 

{The  Prince  appears  outside  the  latticed  portals. 
He  attempts  to  open  them  in  vain,  then  gives  o'er  and 
casts  a  glance  of  sorrow  and  despair  at  the  heavens.) 

SwANWHITE. 

{Approaching  him.) 
Who  Cometh  with  the  rising  of  the  sun? 

The  Prince. 
Thy  heart's  beloved,  thy  Prince,  thy  all ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Whence  cometh  my  beloved  ? 

The  Prince. 

Prom  the  Land  of  Dreams,  from  the  morning  red 
that  lies  behind  the  rosy  mountains,  from  the  whispering 
fir  trees,  from  the  sporting  lindens. 

SwANWHITE. 

What  did  my  love  in  the  Land  of  Dreams  ? 

The  Prince. 

He  sported  and  laughed,  he  wrote  her  name,  he 
played  chess  on  the  lion's  skin. 

SwANWHITE. 

With  whom  played  he,  with  whom  played  he  ? 


SWANWHITE  66 

The  Pkince. 
"With  Swanwhite. 

SwANWHITE. 

That  is  he.     Welcome  unto  my  castle,  to  my  table, 
to  my  arms ! 

The  Pkince. 

Who  opens  the  golden  portal  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Eeach  me  thy  hand!     It  is  cold  because  thy  heart 


is  warm ! 


The  Pkince. 


My  body  has  slept  in  the  blue  tower,  while  my  soul 
wandered  in  the  Land  of  Dreams.  There  it  was  cold, 
and  tJiere  it  was  dark. 

SwANWHITE. 

In  my  bosom  will  I  warm  thy  hand,  in  my  glances 
will  I  warm  thy  hand,  with  my  kiss  will  I  warm  thy 
hand! 

The  Pkince. 

Illuminate  my  darkness  with  the  light  of  thine  eyes ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Was  it  dark  ? 

The  Prince. 

In  the  blue  tower  shines  neither  sun  nor  moon ! 
5 


66  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

Rise,  sun,  blow  warm  wind,  toss  sea!  Thou  golden 
door,  doest  thou  believe  that  thou  canst  part  two  hearts, 
two  hands,  two  lips?     jSTothing  can  part  them! 

The  Pkince. 
!Isrothing ! 

(Tivo  doors  are  shut  across  the  portal  from  each  side, 
so  that  Swanwhite  and  the  Prince  can  see  each  other 
no  longer.) 

Swanwhite. 

Alas,  what  word  has  fallen;  who  has  heard  it;  who 
punishes  us? 

The  Peince. 

I  am  not  separated  from  thee,  love  of  my  heart;  for 
the  sound  of  my  voice  reaches  thee,  it  pierces  through 
copper,  steel  and  stone  and  warmly  caresses  thy  little 
ear;  in  thought  I  embrace  thee,  in  dreams  I  kiss  thee, 
nothing  more  can  part  us  on  earth.     ISTothing! 

Swanwhite. 
ISTothing ! 

The  Prince. 

I  see  thee  even  when  my  eyes  do  not  behold  thee ;  I 
taste  thee,  for  thou  throwest  roses  in  my  mouth. 

Swanwhite. 
But  I  would  have  thee  in  mine  arms ! 


SWANWHITE  67 

The  Peince. 
Thou  bast  me! 

SwANWHITE. 

No,  I  would  feel  thy  heart  against  mine.  I  would 
sleep  on  thy  arm.  Ye  heavenly  power  permit  us  to  ob- 
tain each  other ! 

{The  swallows  twitter,  and  a  little  white  feather  falls 
to  the  ground.  Swanwhite  picks  it  up  and  discovers 
that  it  is  a  hey.  Then  she  opens  both  doors  and 
portals. ) 

(The  Prince  enters.) 

(Swanwhite  rushes  into  his  arms.) 

(The  Prince  kisses  her  mouth.) 

Swanwhite. 
Thou  kissest  me  not! 

The  Pkince. 
I  have! 

Swanwhite. 


I  feel  not  thy  kisses 


The  Prince. 
Then  thou  doest  not  love  me ! 

Swanwhite. 
Embrace  me! 


68  SWANWHITE 

The  Prince, 
I  will  smother  thee! 

SWANWIIITE. 

]so,  I  breathe ! 

The  Prince. 
Give  me  thy  soul ! 

SWANWHITE. 

Here !     Give  me  thine ! 

The  Prince. 
Here !     'Now  I  have  thine,  and  thou  hast  mine ! 

SwANWHITE. 

I  would  have  mine  back  again! 

The  Prince. 
And  I  mine! 

SwANWHITE. 

Seek! 

The  Prince. 

Alas,  we  have  exchanged  personalities.     Thou  art  I, 
and  I  am  thou ! 

SWANWIIITE. 

We  are  one ! 

The  Prince. 

The  Good  God  heard  thy  prayer;  we  have  obtained 
each  other ! 


SWANWHITE  69 

SWANWHITE. 

We  have  obtained  each  other,  but  I  have  thee  no 
longer,  I  feel  not  the  pressure  of  thy  hand,  nor  the 
caresses  of  thy  lips;  I  see  not  thy  eyes,  hear  not  thy 
voice;  thou  hast  departed. 

The  Prince. 
I  am  here ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Here  below,  but  I  would  meet  thee  there  above  in 
the  Land  of  Dreams. 

The  Pkince. 

Let  us  fly  thither  on  the  wings  of  sleep. 

SwANWHITE. 

On  thy  arm ! 

The  Peince. 
In  my  arms! 

Swanwhite. 
In  thy  arms ! 

The  Pkince. 
This  is  bliss! 

Swanwhite. 

Eternal,  without  end,  without  change! 

The  Peixce. 
Can  any  part  us  ? 

Swanwhite. 
None! 


TO  SWANWHITE 

The  Peince. 
Art  thou  my  bride? 

SwANWHITE. 

Art  thou  my  bridegroom  ? 

The  Pkince. 
In  the  Land  of  Dreams.     Xot  here! 

SwANWHITE. 

Where  are  we  ? 

The  Peince. 
Here  below ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Where  the  clouds  overshadow  us,  where  the  sea 
rages,  where  each  night,  before  the  sun  rises,  the  earth 
weeps  on  the  grass.  Where  the  hawk  tears  the  dove; 
where  the  swallow  kills  the  fly ;  where  the  hair  whitens, 
the  cheeks  fall  in,  the  eyes  grow  dull,  and  the  hands 
withered.     Here  below ! 


Let  us  flee ! 
Let  us  flee ! 


The  Peince. 

SwANWHITE. 


(The  gardener  appears  suddenly  from  behind  the 
table.     He  is  dressed  in  green,  with  cap,  apron  and 


SWANWHITE  71 

Tcnee  breeches,  shears  and  a  Jcnife  in  his  belt,  and  he 
carries  a  little  nvinnow  in  his  hand.  He  goes  about 
sowing  seed.) 

The  Pkince. 
Who  art  thou  ? 

The  Gardenee. 
I  sow!  I  sow! 

The  Pkince. 
What  sowest  thou? 

The  Gardenee. 
Seed,  seed,  seed ! 

The  Prince. 
What  kind  of  seed? 

The  Gardener. 

Once  heaten  and  twice  beaten.  One  pulls  thither 
and  two  pull  yon.  When  bride's  gear  is  on,  harmony 
is  past.  In  discord  will  I  sow  and  in  harmony  shalt 
thou  reap.  One  and  one  make  one,  but  one  and  one 
also  make  three ;  one  and  one  make  two,  but  two  makes 
three!     Understandest  thou  that? 

The  Prince. 

Earthworm,  dust-grubber,  thou  turnest  thy  face  to 
the  ground  and  thy  back  toward  heaven.  What  wouldst 
thou  teach  me  ? 

The  Gardener. 

That  thou  art  an  earthworm  and  a  dust  grubber. 


T2  SWANWHITE 

Because  thou  turnest  thy  back  to  the  earth,  the  earth 
shall  turu  its  back  to  thee!     Farewell! 

(SinJcs  out  of  sight  behind  the  table.) 

SWANWKITE. 

What  was  that?     Who  was  that? 

The  Pkince. 
That  was  the  green  gardener. 

SwANWHITE. 

Green?     He  was  blue! 

The  Prince. 
He  was  green,  dear  one ! 

Swanwhite. 
How  canst  thou  say  that  which  is  not  so  ? 

The  Peince. 
Beloved  of  my  heart,  I  said  only  what  was  so ! 

Swanwhite. 
Alas,  he  speaketh  not  the  truth ! 

The  Pkince. 
Whose  voice  hear  I  ?     'Not  that  of  my  Swanwhite ! 


SWANWHITE  73 

SWANWIIITE. 

"Whom  do  I  behold?  Xot  my  Prince,  whose  very 
name  once  could  draw  me  like  the  magic  music  of  the 
Nix ;  like  the  song  of  the  mermaids  in  the  green  waves. 
"Who  art  thou?  Thou  stranger  with  the  evil  eyes  and 
the  grev  hair ! 

The  Prince. 

Seest  thou  now  first  that  during  that  half  night  in 
the  tower  my  hair  turned  grey  from  grief  at  the  absence 
of  Swanwhite,  who  is  here  no  longer. 

Swan  WHITE. 
But  Swanwhite  is  here! 

The  Peince. 
No,  here  stands  a  black  maiden,  whose  face  is  black. 

Swanwhite. 

Sawest  thou  not  before  that  I  was  clad  in  black? 
Then  thou  lovest  me  not ! 

The  Prince. 
Love  her  who  stands  here  quarrelsome  and  evil !    No ! 

Swanwhite. 
Then  wert  thou  false ! 


74  SWANWHITE 

The  Peince. 

'Ro,  because  there  stands  another  here!     !N^ow,  now, 
thou  throwest  nettles  in  my  mouth! 

SwANWHITE. 

!N'ow  thy  Tiolets  smell  of  lovage !     Puh ! 

The  Pkince. 

This  is  punishment  for  disloyalty  to  my  young  King. 

SwANWHITE. 

Would  that  I  had  waited  thy  young  King! 

The  Prince. 
Wait !     He  is  coming  thither ! 

SwANWHITE. 

I  shall  not  wait.     I  go  to  him! 

The  Prince. 
Then  I  remain ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Goes  to  bach  of  stage.) 

The  Prince. 

(Beside  himself.) 

Where  is  Swanwhite?     Where,  where,  where?     The 
most  beautiful,  the  best,  the  most  loving! 


SWANAVHITE 


76 


Seek  her ! 

'Not  here  below! 

Elsewhere ! 


swanwhite. 
The  Pkince. 

SwANWHITE. 

(Goes.) 


(The  Prince  alone;  seats  himself  at  the  table,  covers 
his  face  with  his  hands  and  weeps.  A  gust  of  wind 
hlows  through  the  chaniber,  so  that  the  curtains  and 
draperies  flutter  and  the  strings  of  the  harp  vibrate. 
The  Prince  rises,  goes  to  the  bed  and  remains  sunk  in 
contemplation  as  he  views  the  pillow  ivhich  has  pre- 
served the  imprint  of  Swanwhite's  profile.  He  takes 
the  pillow  and  kisses  it. 

Noise  without.     He  seats  himself  at  the  table. 

The  door  of  the  room  is  burst  open.  The  maidens, 
now  with  dark  faces,  appear.  The  Stepmother,  also 
with  a  dark  face,  enters  from  the  rear.) 

The  Stepmothek. 
(Softly.) 
A  good-morrow,  my  good  Prince.     How  has  he  slept  ? 

The  Peince. 
"Where  is  Swanwhite? 


76  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmothek. 

She  journeys  to  her  wedding  with  the  young  King. 
Did  my  Prince  not  think  of  that  before  ? 

The  PpaNCE. 
But  a  single  thought  can  I  control 

The  Stepmothee. 
Of  young  Swanwhite  ? 

The  Peince. 
Is  she  too  young  for  me  ? 

The  Stepmothee. 

Grey  hairs  should  take  care  to  be  accompanied 
by  good  understanding. — I  have  an  understanding 
maiden — 

The  Peince. 
My  gi*ey  hairs? 

The  Stepmothee. 

He  knows  it  not,  he  believes  it  not,  maidens !  Signe, 
Elsa,  Tofva !  Laugh  at  the  young  suitor  with  his  grey 
hairs ! 

(The   maidens  Ireak  into   laughter j   the   Stepmother 

chimes  in.) 

The  Peince. 
Where  is  Swanwhite? 


SWANWHITE  77 

The  Stepmother. 
Follow  her  tracks !     Here  is  one. 

{Hands  him  a  written  jyarchment.) 

The  Peince. 
She  has  written  that? 

The  Stepmothee. 

Thou  knowest  her  hand!  What  has  her  hand 
written  ? 

The  Peince. 

That  she  hates  me  and  loves  another — that  she  has 
played  with  my  feelings,  that  she  spits  out  my  kisses 
and  throws  my  heart  into  the  pigstye.  Xow  will  I  die ! 
!N^ow  am  I  dead ! 

The  Stepmothee. 

A  knight  dies  not  through  the  sport  of  a  maiden! 
He  shows  that  he  is  a  man  and  picks  out  another ! 

The  Peince. 
Another?     If  there  only  were  another. 

The  Stepmothee. 

At  least  two!  And  my  Magdalena  possesses  seven 
tons  of  gold ! 

The  Peince. 

Seven  ? 


78  SWANWHITB 

The  Stepmothek. 
Yet  more ! 

(PaiLse.) 

The  Prince. 
."Where  is  Swanwhite  ? 

The  Stepmother. 
And  Magdalena  is  versed  in  many  arta. 

The  Prince. 
Can  she  bewitch  ? 

The  Stepmother. 
She  could  soon  bewitch  a  little  prince. 

The  Prince. 
(Contemplating  the  parchment,) 
Has  Swanwhite  written  this  ? 

The  Stepmother. 
Magdalena  would  never  do  so ! 

The  Prince. 
Is  Magdalena  good  ? 

The  Stepmother. 

Goodness  itself!  She  trifles  not  with  holy  feelings, 
she  does  not  revenge  a  little  unfairness,  she  is  true  to 
them  whom  she  holds  dear. 


SWANWHITE  79 

The  Prince. 
Then  she  is  beautiful! 

The  Stepmother. 
Kot  beautiful ! 

The  Peince. 

» 

Then  she  is  not  good.     Sj^eak  more  of  her ! 

The  Stepmother. 
See  her ! 


The  Prince. 

Where  ? 

The  Stepmother. 

Here! 

The  Prince. 

Swanwhite  has  written  this? 

The  Stepmother. 
Magdalena  would  have  written  affectionately. 

The  Prince. 
What  would  she  have  written? 

The  Stepmother. 
Of — (falters). 

The  Prince. 
Say  the  word !     Say  "  love  "  if  thou  canst  I 


80  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmother. 
Shove ! 

The  Peince. 

Thou  canst  not  pronounce  that  word ! 

The  Stepmother. 
Dove! 

The  Prince. 

No! 

The  Stepmother. 
Magdalena  can  say  it !     May  she  come  ? 

The  Prince. 
She  may  come! 

The  Stepmother. 

{Rises  and  addresses  the  maidens.) 

Bind  the  Prince's  eyes,  then  can  he  take  a  princess 
in  his  arms  the  like  of  whom  there  is  not  in  seven 
kingdoms ! 

(Signe  comes  forward  and  hlindfolds  the  Prince.) 

The  Stepmother. 
(Claps  her  hands.) 
Now  ?     Comes  she  not  ? 

(The  peacock  claps  his  hill,  the  doves  coo.) 


SWANWHITE  81 

The  Stepmother. 

Has  my  art  forsaken  me?  What  means  that? 
iWtere  is  the  bride  ? 

{Four  maidens  carrying  red  and  wldte  roses  enter 
from  the  hack.  Music  is  heard  from  above.  The 
maidens  pass  about  the  bed  and  strew  it  with  roses. 
Then  enter  two  hnights  with  closed  visors.  They  take 
the  Prince  by  the  hand  and  conduct  him  to  the  rear, 
where  they  join  the  false  Magdalena,  who  is  escorted  by 
two  women.  The  bride  is  thickly  veiled.  The  Step- 
mother motions  all  to  leave  the  bridal  pair.  She  then 
departs,  after  pulling  the  curtains  and  closing  the 
portals.) 

The  Prince. 

Is  my  bride  here  ? 

The  False  Magdalena. 
Who  is  thy  bride  ? 

The  Prince. 

I  do  not  remember  her  name!  Who  is  thy  bride- 
groom ? 

The  False  Magdalena. 
He  whose  name  dare  not  be  mentioned ! 

The  Prince. 

Say  it  if  thou  canst ! 
6 


82  SWANWHITE 

The  False  Magdalena. 
I  can,  but  I  will  not ! 

The  Peince. 
Say  it  if  thou  canst ! 

The  False  Magdalena. 

First  say  mine ! 

The  Peince. 

Seven   tons    of   gold,    crook   back,    malice,    bairlip! 
What  am  I  called  ?     Say  it  if  thou  canst ! 

The  False  Magdalena. 

Prince  Grey  Hair ! 

The  Peince. 
That  is  right ! 

{The  false  Magdalena  throws  off  her  veil.) 

Swanwhite. 

(Stands  there  in  her  white  robe,  a  crown  of  roses  in  her 

hair.) 
Who  am  I  now  ? 

The  Peince. 
Thou  art  a  rose ! 

Swanwhite. 
Thou  art  a  violet! 


SWANWHITE  83 

The  Pkince. 
{Takes  the  handage  from  his  eyes.) 

Thou  art  Swanwhite! 

SwANWHITE. 

And  thou — art 


The  Prince. 
Hush ! 

Swanwhite. 
Thou  art  mine ! 

The  Prince. 

And  thou  hast  gone  forth — forth  from  my  kisses. 

Swanwhite. 
And  came  again !     Because  I  love  thee ! 

The  Prince. 
And  thou  wrotest  ugly  words 

Swanwhite. 
"Which  I  erased  because  I  love  thee ! 

The  Prince. 

And  thou  saidst  that  I  was  false ! 

Swanwhite. 

What  matters  that  when  thou  art  true  and  I  love 
thee? 

The  Prince. 

And  thou  wouldst  have  gone  to  the  young  King  ? 


84:  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

But  I  came  to  thee  because  thou  ait  my  love! 

The  Pkixce. 
!N^ow  thou  shouldst  turn  my  reproaches  on  ma 

Swanwiiite. 

"No,  as  I  have  forgotten  them  because  thou  art  my 
love. 

The  Prince. 
If  I  am  thy  love,  then  thou  art  my  bride ! 

SwANWHITE. 

I  am. 

The  Pkince. 
Then  may  Heaven  bless  our  union ! 

Swanwhite. 
In  the  Land  of  Dreams ! 

The  Pkince. 
Upon  my  arm ! 

(The  Prince  conducts  Sivanwhite  to  the  hed;  lays  his 
sivord  in  the  middle  between  Swanwhite  and  himself. 
The  golden  clouds  become  rosy  red,  the  rose  trees  rustle; 
the  harp  intones  a  lovely  melody.) 


SWANWHITE  85 

The  Prince. 

Good-night,  my  Queen! 

SwANWniTE. 

Good-morning,  love  of  my  soul !  I  hear  thy  heart 
beat,  I  hear  thy  heart  sigh  like  the  waves  of  the  sea, 
like  the  trot  of  a  racer,  like  the  wings  of  an  eagle.  Take 
me  by  the  hand! 

The  Prince. 

Here!     Xow  we  lift  our  wings! 

The  Stepmother. 

{Enters  with  the  maidens  carry'mg  torches.     All  four 

are  grey-headed.) 

I  must  see  that  my  work  is  ended  before  the  Duke 
comes — Magdalena  espoused  to  the  Prince,  while  Swan- 
white  sits  in  the  tower.  (Approaching  the  heel.)  They 
sleep  in  each  other's  arma     Maidens,  be  my  witnesses ! 

{The  maidens  near  the  lied.) 

The  Stepmother. 

What  do  I  see  ?     You  all  have  grey  hair ! 

SiGNE. 

And  your  Grace  has  also! 

The  Stepmothee. 
Let  me  see ! 

{Elsa  holds  her  a  mirror.) 


86  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmother. 

The  sport  of  evil  power !  Mayhap  the  Prince  has 
his  dark  locks  again  ?     Light  here  ! 

(The  maidens  illuminate  the  sleepers.) 

The  Stepmother. 

By  heaven  it  is  the  truth !  Then  all  goes  well.  But 
the  sword !  Who  has  placed  the  sword  there  where  it 
makes  the  espousal  invalid  ? 

{She  seeks  to  remove  the  sword,  hut  the  Prince  holds  it 

fast  in  his  sleep.) 

SiGNE. 

Duchess,  it  is  unsafe  here ! 

The  Stepmother. 
Why  so  ? 

SiGNE. 


That  is  not  Lady  Magdalena 


Tjie  Stepmother. 
Who  is  it  ?     Help  mine  eyes ! 

SiGNE. 

It  is  the  Lady  Swanwhite ! 


SWANWHITE  87 

The  Stepmother. 

Swanwliite  ?  Is  this  a  delusion  of  the  devil,  or  have 
I  done  what  I  would  not! 

(The  Prince  moves   and  approaches  his  lips  toward 
those  of  Swanwhite.) 

The  Stepmother. 

(Struck  hy  the  beautiful  sight.) 

Never  saw  I  anything  more  beautiful !  Two  roses 
which  meet  each  other  in  the  wind ;  two  stars  which  fall 
from  the  firmament,  and  in  falling  come  together;  no, 
it  is  all  too  beautiful !  Youth,  Beauty,  Innocence, 
Love !  Remembrances,  fond  remembrances  of  when  I 
lived  in  my  father's  court,  where  he  loved  me,  the  youth 
whom  I  never  wedded.     What  did  I  say  he  had  for  me  ? 

SiGNE. 

The  Duchess  said  that  he  loved. 

The  Stepmother. 

Then  spoke  I  that  mighty  word  correctly !  Beloved ! 
So  he  named  me,  "  Beloved,"  before  he  went  forth  to 
the  war.  (SinJcs  into  thought.)  He  returned  never! 
And  so  I  was  forced  to  take  the  other  whom  I  cannot 
endure!  Now  my  course  of  life  is  run;  and  I  must 
rejoice  over  the  happiness  I  never  won!  I  will  re- 
joice— over  others'  happiness — yet  a  happiness;  over 
other  love — yet  a  love !     But  my  Magdalena  ?     Will 


88  SWANWHITE 

she  rejoice?  Almighty  Love,  eternal,  creative  god; 
how  vs^eak  hast  thou  made  mj  lion's  heart!  Where  is 
mj  power  ?  Where  is  my  hate  ?  Where  is  my  revenge  ? 
{She  seats  herself  and  regards  the  sleepers.)  I  recall 
a  song,  a  love  song  which  he  sang  in  my  youth,  the  last 
evening. 

(Rises,  wakes  as  out  of  a  dream  and  falls  into  a 
rage.  Shrieks.)  Attendants,  thither!  Thither,  bail- 
iff, castellan,  jailer,  all !  (She  pulls  the  sword  from 
the  bed  and  throws  it  into  the  hacJcground.)  Attend- 
ants, thither ! 


(Noise:  the  attendants  enter  as  before.) 

The  Stepmother. 

Behold!  The  Prince,  the  young  King's  vassal,  has 
dishonored  the  bride  of  his  lord.  Bear  witness  to  the 
shameful  deed!  The  King's  deceiver  shall  be  sent  in 
bonds  and  chains  to  his  lord,  and  the  wanton  sh^ll  be 
put  in  the  spiked  barrel. 

(The  Prince  and  Swanwhite  awaken.) 

The  Stepmother. 
Jailer  and  bailiff,  seize  the  Prince! 

(The  jailer  and  bailiff  seize  the  Prince.) 


SWANWHITE  89 

The  Pkince. 

Where    is    my    sword  ?     ^ot    to    use    against    this 
violence,  but  to  prove  innocence ! 

The  Stepmotiiee. 
The  innocence  of  whom  ? 

The  Prince. 
The  innocence  of  my  bride ! 

The  Stepmother. 
The  innocence  of  the  harlot!     Prove  it! 

Swanwhite. 
O,  Mother,  Mother! 

(The  white  swan  'flies  hy  outside.^ 

The  Stepmother. 

Give  me  the  shears,  girl!     I  will  clip  the  harlot's 
locks, 

{Signe  reaches  her  a  pair  of  shears.) 

The  Stepmother. 

(Takes  Swanwhite  by  the  hair  and  attempts  to  cut 
it,  hut  the  shears  stick  and  will  not  come  together.) 

Now  I  will  cut  away  thy  beauty  and  thy  love !      (She 
is  overcome  with  panic,  which  seizes  the  maidens  also.) 


90  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmothek. 
Is  the  fiend  upon  us?     What  makes  you  tremble? 

SiGNE. 

Duchess,  the  dogs  bay,  the  horses  whinny  j  that  be- 
tokens visitors ! 

The  Stepmother. 

Quick,  all  to  the  drawbridge.     To  the  walls !     Fire  I 
iWater !     Swords !     Axes ! 

{The  Prince  and  Swanwhite  are  left  alone.) 


The  Gardener. 

(Appears  from  hehind  the  table  with  a  cord  in  one  hand 
and  the  Duke's  horn  in  the  other.) 

Pardon  to  him  that  hath  erred !  Comfort  for  the  sor- 
rowful, help  for  the  needy ! 

Swanwhite. 

My  father's  horn !     Help  is  nigh !     But  the  Prince  ? 

The  Gardener. 

Prince,  follow  me !  Here  is  an  underground  passage 
which  leads  to  the  strand,  there  lies  the  cockle ;  the  wind 
is  good !     Come ! 


SWANWHITE  91 

{Swariwhite  alo7ie.     She  sounds  the  horn,  and  another 
answers  in  the  distance.) 

(The  jailer  enters  ivith  a  spiked  barrel.) 

(Swanivhite  blows  again.     The  answer  is  nearer.) 


{The  Duhe  enters.) 
(The  Duhe  and  Sivanivhite  alone.) 

The  Duke. 

Dearest  hearty  whom  does  this  concern? 

SwANWHITE. 

Father,  it  concerns  thy  child.     See  the  spiked  barrel 
there ! 

The  Duke. 

In  what  has  my  child  erred  ? 

Swanwhite. 

I  found  the  Prince's  name  by  a  means  that  only  love 
could  teach;  I  named  him,  and  then  I  loved  him. 

The  Duke. 
That  should  not  cost  thy  life !     What  further  ? 


92  SWANWHITE 

SWANWHITE. 

I  slept  by  his  side  with  the  sword. 

The  Duke. 

That  should  not  cost  thy  life,  though  it  was  hardly 
well  considered !     What  further  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Nothing  further ! 

The  Duke. 

{To  the  jailer.) 

Roll  out  the  spiked  barrel!     Now,  my  child,  where 
is  the  Prince  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

He  is  sailing  his  cockle  homeward ! 

The  Duke. 
Now,  in  this  storm  wind  ?     Alone  ? 

SwANWHITE. 

Alone !     What  will  happen  to  him  ? 

The  Duke. 
That  lies  in  God's  hands ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Is  danger  nigh  him  ? 


SWANWHITE  93 

The  Duke. 
The  brave  have  oft  good  fortune. 

SWANWIIITE. 

He  merits  it! 

The  Duke. 

If  he  be  free  from  guilt  he  will  have  it ! 

SwANWHITE. 

He  is!     More  so  than  I! 


{The  Stepmother  enters.) 

The  Stepmother. 
How  earnest  thou  hither? 

The  Duke. 
By  the  nearest  way.     Would  that  I  had  come  sooner. 

The  Stepmother. 

Hadst  thou  come  sooner,  thy  child  might  not  have 
fallen  upon  misfortune. 

The  Duke. 
"What  misfortune  ? 


94  SWANWHITE 

The  Stepmothee. 
That  which  can  never  be  made  good  again ! 

The  Duke. 
Hast  thou  grounds  for  that  ? 

The  Stepmother. 

Lawful  witnesses ! 

The  Duke. 
Call  the  steward! 

The  Stepmothee. 

He  knows  nothing! 

The  Duke. 

(Shaking  his  sword.) 

Call  the  steward ! 

(The  Stepmother  tremhles,  claps  her  hands  four  times.) 


(The  steward  enters.) 

The  Duke. 

Thou  must  prepare  at  once  a  pasty  of  venison,  well 
seasoned  with  onions,  parsley,  fennel  and  cabbage! 

(The  steward  looks  towards  the  Stepmother.) 


SWANWHITE  05 

The  Duke. 
"Whither  lookest  thou  ?     At  once ! 

{The  steward  goes.) 

The  Duke. 
Call  the  head  gardener ! 

The  Stepmother. 

He  knows  nothing ! 

The  Duke. 

And  shall  know  nothing.     But  come  he  must !     Call 
him! 

(The  Stepmother  claps  her  hands  six  times.) 


(The  head  gardener  enters.) 

The  Duke, 

Fetch  three  lilies — a  white,  a  red,  and  a  blue. 
(The  head  gardener  glances  at  the  Stepmother.) 

The  Dukk 
Take  care  of  thy  head ! 

(The  head  gardener  goes.) 


96  SWANWHITE 

The  Duke. 

Call  the  witnesses ! 

(The  Stepmother  claps  her  hands  once.) 

(Signe  enters.) 

Testify!     But  in  seemly  words!     What  hast  thou 
seen? 

SiGNE. 

I  have  seen  the  Lady  Swanwhite  and  the  Prince  in 
ted  together! 

The  Duke. 
With  a  sword? 

SiGNE. 

Without ! 

The  Duke. 

I  believe  it  not!     More  witnesses! 


(The  two  Jcnights  enter.) 

The  Duke. 
Are  these  the  bride's  knights?     Bear  witness! 

The  First  Knight. 
I  conducted  the  Lady  Magdalena  to  bed ! 


SWANWHITE  or 

The  Second  Knight. 
I  conducted  Lady  Magdalena  to  bed! 

The  Duke. 

What  is  this?     A  fraud  which  has  recoiled!     More 
witnesses ! 


(Elsa  enters.) 

The  Duke. 
Bear  witness ! 

Elsa. 

By  God  the  Righteous,  I  have  seen  the  culprit,  Lady 
Swanwhite,  and  the  Prince,  fully  clothed  and  with  a 
sword  between  them. 

The  Duke. 

One  for  and  one  against,  two  outside  of  the  question. 
I  leave  it  to  the  judgment  of  God !     The  flower  ordeal ! 


TOFVA. 

(As  she  enters.) 


!Noble  lord,  strong  knight! 


98  SWANWHITE 

The  Dukb. 
What  knowest  thou  ? 

TOFVA. 

That  my  noble  lady  is  guiltless! 

The  Duke. 
Oh,  child,  thou  knowest  it.     Let  us  know  it! 

ToFVA. 

But  I  say  what  is  true! 

The  Dukb. 

Therefore  nobody  believes  it;  but  when  Signe  says 
what  is  false,  one  must  believe  that !  What  says  Swan- 
white  herself?  Does  not  her  pure  brow,  her  clear 
glance,  her  innocent  mouth,  say  that  someone  has 
slandered  her  ?  Do  not  my  father-eyes  tell  me  it  is  so  ? 
Good  God  the  Highest  shall  speak  in  judgment,  that 
men  may  believe  it ! 


{The  head  gardener  enters  with  lilies  in  vases.) 

{The  Duke  sets  the  flowers  in  a  semi-circle  on  the  table.) 

(The  steward  enters  carrylmj  a  smohing  pasty  on  a 

platter.) 

'{The  Duke  places  the  pasty  so  that  the  flowers  sur- 
round it.) 


SWANWHITE  99 

The  Duke. 
Who  is  the  white  lily  ? 

All,  Save  Swanwiiite  and  the  Stepmothee. 

Swanwhite ! 

The  Dukiv 

Who  is  the  red  lily  ? 

All,  Save  Swanwhite  and  the  Stepmothee. 

The  Prince! 

The  Duke. 
Who  is  the  blue? 

All,  Save  Swanwhite  and  the  Stepmothee. 

The  young  King! 

The  Duke. 

Good !  Tofva,  my  child,  thou  believest  in  innocence 
because  thou  art  innocent  thyself!  Interpret  now  for 
us  the  judgment  of  God,  and  tell  us  the  pretty  secret 
of  the  flowers.     What  seest  thou? 

Tofva. 
I  cannot  say  the  evil  word! 

The  Duke. 

I  will,  then  canst  thou  say  the  good !  By  the  reek 
of  the  blood  of  the  lustful  deer,  by  the  reek  of  the 
herbs  of  passion,  what  came  to  pass  ? 


100  SWANWHITE 

TOFVA. 

(Contemplates  the  three  lilies,  which  act  as  her  words 

indicate.) 

The  white  lily  closes  to  protect  itself  from  the  im- 
pure insinuation.     That  is  Swanwhite. 

Ali,. 
Swanwhite  is  innocent ! 

ToFVA. 

And  the  red,  that  is  the  Prince,  closes  also;  but  the 
blue  opens  its  cup  to  inhale  the  passion! 

The  Duke. 
"Well  interpreted!     What  seest  thou  further? 

Tofva. 

I  see  how  the  red  lily  bows  in  honorable  love  to 
the  white  lily;  but  the  blue  writhes  in  envy  and 
jealousy ! 

The  Duke. 

Well  interpreted!     Who  shall  have  Swanwhite? 

Tofva. 

The  Prince;  because  his  longing  is  the  purer,  and 
therefore  the  stronger. 


SWANWHITE  101 

All,  Save  Swanwhite  and  the  Stepmothek. 
The  Prince  shall  have  Swanwhite! 

Swanwhite. 

(Rushes  into  her  father's  arms.) 

Oh,  Father! 

The  Duke. 

Call  back  the  Prince!  Blow  horns  and  trumpets! 
All  vessels  to  sea !  But  first,  who  shall  sit  in  the  spiked 
barrel  ? 

(All  are  silent.) 

The  Duke. 

Then  I  will  say  it!  The  Duchess!  The  liar,  the 
sorceress!  See,  evil  woman,  thy  art  rules  everything 
save  love!     Go  and  go  quickly! 

{The  Stepmother  maJces  a  gesture  with  her  hand,  which 
seems  to  benumb  the  Duke.) 

The  Duke. 

(Draws  his  sword  and  directs  the  point  against  the 
Stepmother,  while  he  shelters  Swanwhite  by  his  left 
shoulder.) 

Ah,  thou  evil  one!  My  steel  shall  spoil  thy  magic 
arts! 

(The  Stepmother  retires  backward  with  slinking  steps 

like  a  panther.) 


102  SWANWHITE 

The  Duke. 
Now  to  the  Prince! 

{The  Stepmother  stands  as  if  turned  to  stone  in  the 
entrance,  opens  her  mouth  as  if  venting  her  spleen.  The 
peacoch  and  the  doves  fall  down  dead.  Then  the  Step- 
mother begins  to  swell;  her  clothes  expand  like  an  in- 
fla-ted  Walloon,  and  soon  hide  her  head  and  the  upper 
part  of  her  body.  Her  garments  appear  to  flame  with 
a  pattern  of  serpents  and  twigs.  The  sun  begins  to  set. 
Then  the  roof  settles  slowly  upon  the  chamber;  smoke 
and  fire  invade  the  apartment.) 

The  Duke. 

(Stretches  the  cross  on  his  sword  toward  the  Step- 
mother.) 

Call  upon  the  name  of  Jesus  the  Kedeemer ! 

All. 
Christ  have  mercy! 

(The  roof  lifts  itself,  the  smoke  and  fire  disappear.) 

(Noise  without.     The  murmur  of  voices.) 


The  Duke. 
.What  new  has  happened  ? 


SWANWHITE  103 

SwANWHITE. 

I  know  it!  I  see  it!  I  hear  bow  the  water  drips 
from  his  hair;  I  hear  that  his  heart  is  stilled;  I  hear 
that  he  can  breathe  no  longer !     I  see  that  he  is  dead ! 

The  Duke. 
Where  seest  thou  anything?     Whom? 

SwANWIIITE. 

Where?     I  see  it! 

The  Duke. 
I  see  nothing! 

SwANWHITE. 

» 
If  they  would  come  quickly;  they  must  come! 


{Four  little  girls  enter  carrying  hasJcets  of  white 
lilies  and  sprigs  of  yew,  with  which  they  strew  the  floor; 
after  them  come  four  little  hoys  ringing  silver  hells 
tuned  to  different  notes;  then  the  Dean  with  the  cruci- 
fix; then  a  golden  hier  upon  which  lies  the  Prince,  he- 
neath  a  white  shroud  streivn  with  red  and  white  roses. 
His  hair  is  darJc  once  more  and  his  face  young,  rosy 
and  radiantly  heautiful,  with  a  smile  on  the  lips. 

The  harp  plays;  the  sun  rises.  The  witch  hundle 
hursts  and  the  Stepmother  reappears  in  her  usual  form. 

The  hier  is  set  down  in  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun. 


104  SWANWHITE 

Swanwliite  throws  lierself  on  her  knees  by  the  hier, 
and  kisses  the  Prince's  face. 
All  hide  their  faces  and  weep.) 

The  Duke. 
Tell  us,  fisherman,  the  short  story. 

The  Fisherman. 

Mighty  lord,  it  lies  before  thy  eyes.  The  youthful 
Prince,  well  over  yonder  sound,  seized  with  love's  mad 
longing  to  return,  essayed  to  swim  the  flood,  spite  spring- 
tide, wind  and  waves,  'gainst  which  his  cockle  boat  could 
make  no  headway. 

I  saw  his  young  head  top  the  waves,  I  heard  him  call 
her  name  and  then — how  lightly  lay  his  corpse  on 
yonder  sand ! 

Grey  was  his  hair  from  the  night  in  the  blue  tower ; 
withered  his  cheeks  from  sorrow  and  from  grief,  and 
nothing  brought  a  smile  to  his  dry  lips. 

]S[ow,  in  death  his  body  seemed  both  young  and  fair ; 
his  chestnut  locks  were  crown  to  rosy  cheeks,  and  the 
corpse  smiled — behold,  it  smiles  yet !  The  people  gath- 
ered on  the  sand  below,  wondered  to  view  the  charming 
sight  and  whispered  :     That  is  love ! 

SwANWHITE. 

(Lays  herself  down  near  the  corpse  of  the  Prince.) 
He  is  dead,  his  heart  sings  no  longer,  his  eyes  light 


SWANWHITE  105 

not  my  life,  he  breathes  his  dew  no  longer  upon  me. 
He  smiles,  but  he  smiles  not  on  me,  but  upon  Heaven. 
I  will  accompany  him  upon  his  way ! 

The  Duke. 
Kiss  not  the  lips  of  a  dead  man.     'Tis  poison ! 

SwANWniTE. 

A  loving  poison  when  it  gave  me  death,  the  death 
which  is  to  me  life ! 

The  Duke. 

It  is  said,  my  child,  the  dead  do  not  meet  according 
to  their  own  desires,  and  that  the  one  loved  here  seems 
of  little  worth  there, 

Swanwkite. 

And  love — shall  it  not  conquer  there  over  death? 

The  Duke. 
The  wise  have  disputed  it. 

Swanwhite. 

Then  must  he  return  thither.  Merciful  God,  send 
him  back  from  thy  heaven! 

The  Duke. 
A  foolish  prayer ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Alas,  I  cannot  pray,  the  evil  eye  still  ruleth  over  us ! 


106  SWANWHITE 

The  Duke. 

Thou  meanest  the  troll  that  flew  to  pieces  in  the  sun. 
She  shall  be  burnt  alive  at  once  upon  the  scaffold ! 

SwANWHITE. 

Burned,  and  living  ?  'No,  not  so,  let  her  depart  upon 
her  way. 

The  Duke. 

Living,  she  shall  be  burned.  People,  erect  a  scaffold 
on  the  strand  in  order  that  her  ashes  may  be  strewn 
by  all  the  winds. 

Swanwhite. 

(On  her  knees  to  the  Duke.) 

O,  no,  I  pray  for  her,  my  executioner.     Have  mercy ! 


The  Stepmothee. 

(Enters  changed  in  looks,  released  from  her  enchant- 
ment.') 

Mercy !     Who  offers  that  heartfelt  prayer  for  me  ? 

Swanwhite. 
'Twas  I — thy  daughter,  Mother! 


SWANWHITE  lOT 

The  Stepmotiiee. 

Oh,  Heavenly  Power,  she  calls  me  Mother!  Who 
taught  thee  that? 

SwANWHITE. 

Love  taught  me  that. 

The  Stepmother. 

Blessed  be  love  that  can  such  wonders  work!  'Tis 
■well,  my  child,  then  canst  thou  call  the  dead  back  from 
the  realm  of  Death.  That  can  I  not,  as  love  was  me 
forbidden!     But  thou!     But  thou! 

SwANWHITE. 

What  can  poor  I  do  ? 

The  Stepmother. 
Thou  canst  love;  thou  canst  forgive.  Truly,  thou 
canst  do  all,  thou  all-powerful  little  one!  Take  the 
lore  from  me  that  cannot  use  it.  Go  call  the  name  of 
thy  beloved  one  and  lay  thy  hand  upon  his  heart !  And 
with  the  help  of  the  Most  High — but  only  with  His — 
will  thy  beloved  hear  thee,  if  thou  canst  have  faith. 

SwANWHITE. 

I  believe! — I  will! — I  pray!  (Goes  to  the  Prince's 
tier,  lays  one  hand  upon  his  heart  and  raises  the  other  on 
high.  Then  she  tends  and  whispers  three  separate 
times.  At  the  third  the  Prince  awahes,  and  Swanwhite 
throws  herself  upon  his  breast.  All  sinh  upon  their 
knees  as  if  in  thanks  and  praise.     Mu^ic.) 

(Curtain.) 


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